Life is Strange Developer Faces Closure Following Aphelion Failure

Life is Strange developer DON’T NOD faces potential closure due to poor sales of Aphelion, with the company warning about the threat to its operations after January 2027.

French studio DON’T NOD, known for Life is Strange, is facing a severe financial crisis and has warned of “substantial uncertainty” regarding the continuation of its operations after January 31, 2027.

The company is preparing a restructuring plan that could lead to the elimination of up to 90 jobs in France. In the first half of 2026, DON’T NOD reported revenue of €6.1 million, which is down 14% compared to the previous year. Taking production costs into account, total operating revenue fell by 56%.

The studio’s cash reserves are also depleting rapidly. It held €9.8 million at the end of June, dropping to €8 million a month later. At the end of 2025, this figure stood at €15.4 million.

Weak sales of Aphelion contributed to the crisis. Estimates indicate the game sold only a few thousand copies on Steam. Previous projects, including Vampyr, Twin Mirror, Tell Me Why, Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden, and Lost Records: Bloom & Rage, received positive reviews without becoming commercial hits.

DON’T NOD plans to focus on a single core production line to reduce expenses. The company is also considering asset sales and bringing in outside investors. Without additional funding, the studio may not survive past early 2027.