Raw Power Games, the independent studio behind the ambitious open-world medieval sandbox Chronicles: Medieval, is facing an existential threat due to a sudden loss of funding. The developer announced that without the necessary financial backing, the studio is at a real risk of closing, potentially before the game can launch into Steam early access in early 2027.
In a statement released on Steam and social media, the studio explained that "circumstances outside our control" led to the funding being withdrawn. This development appears to have caught Raw Power Games by surprise, as the studio had been consistently posting regular development updates throughout October, including a detailed look at in-game coats of arms. The sudden halt in funding comes despite the game being described as "within reach" of its early access state.
"What makes it hurt is how close we are. Early access is within reach," Raw Power Games stated. "The world we've been building for years is finally starting to feel alive, and we have so much we've been thrilled to show you."
Chronicles: Medieval, which aims to offer players a dynamic medieval world and large-scale authentic battles, first garnered attention last year partly due to Raw Power Games' initial exploration of generative AI technologies. While the studio had previously expressed interest in integrating AI, including using Midjourney for concept art, they later clarified that Chronicles: Medieval is "100% handcrafted with no use of generative AI." The team emphasized that all game assets were created by their development staff.
Despite the grim outlook, Raw Power Games is urging fans to remain supportive. "We are not going down without a fight," the studio declared, encouraging players to keep Chronicles: Medieval on their wishlists and to continue discussing the game. The exact timeline for the studio's potential closure remains unclear, but the developers hope that the game's near-releasable state might help them secure new funding opportunities.