Nerial, the developer known for the Reigns series, has announced it will cease operations after 13 years in business. The London-based studio revealed its decision in a social media post, stating it is entering “hibernation mode” following discussions with publishing partner Devolver Digital.
In its statement, Nerial reflected on its journey, highlighting the release of Reigns in 2016, the fan reception to its card-based role-playing mechanics, and its subsequent expansions. These included licensed titles such as Reigns: Game of Thrones, Reigns: Animal Farm, Reigns: Three Kingdoms, and the recently released Reigns: The Witcher. The studio also noted its ambitious project, The Crush House, as a point of pride. While specific reasons for the closure were not provided, Nerial indicated that its employees intend to continue working in game development after a period of reflection.
Nerial first gained recognition with Reigns, a game where players assume the role of a monarch managing a kingdom through a deck of cards. The success of the original title led to sequels like Reigns: Her Majesty and the aforementioned licensed spin-offs. The studio also developed other titles, including Card Shark and The Crush House.
Nerial's closure adds to a growing number of studio shutdowns in 2026. Earlier this year, Meta closed three of its VR development studios: Twisted Pixel, Sanzaru Games, and Armature Studio. Other studios that have ceased operations include Bluepoint Games, Ivy Road, Intrepid Studios, Spiders, Night School, and Polyarc.