Game Studio Campfire Cabal Reveals It Never Actually Shut Down

In a surprising twist, Campfire Cabal has confirmed it is still operational, despite widespread reports that the studio had shut down in 2023. The video game developer revealed through a recent blog post titled "Still Alive" that a small team continued working behind the scenes, even as much of the industry believed the studio had quietly folded.

Was Campfire Cabal Actually Closed?

The confusion dates back to August 2023, when parent company Embracer Group announced sweeping financial restructuring plans that appeared to include the closure of Campfire Cabal. At the time, both THQ Nordic and studio leadership publicly acknowledged layoffs and uncertainty, fueling the belief that the developer had ceased operations altogether.

However, the studio has now confirmed that while many team members were let go, core operations never completely stopped. A skeleton crew continued development on the next title in the Expeditions franchise—an ongoing project that began in 2022.

Silent Survival Behind the Scenes

Campfire Cabal remained intentionally quiet during 2023 and 2024. According to the studio, this was partly due to the uncertainty around their future and internal efforts to secure support from stakeholders. Despite the silence, they quietly released updates and patches for Expeditions: Rome in 2024—without fanfare or formal announcements.

Green Light for Full Production in 2025

As of March 2025, Campfire Cabal confirmed their next Expeditions game has received formal approval to enter full production. This milestone allows the studio to expand operations, hire additional developers, and increase development momentum.

The upcoming game is set to continue the studio’s legacy of tactical role-playing titles, though no specific details about the game’s setting or mechanics have been disclosed yet.

A Rare Success Story Amid Industry Struggles

The gaming industry has endured a turbulent period in recent years, with thousands of layoffs, project cancellations, and major studio closures across the globe. Campfire Cabal’s story stands out as a rare example of a studio beating the odds by quietly navigating layoffs and corporate restructuring to survive.

While Campfire Cabal faced many of the same pressures as other developers—such as reduced investment and canceled projects—they credit key supporters within THQ Nordic and Embracer Group for championing their continued existence.