Simulation publisher Astragon Entertainment is closing Astragon Development, the German studio previously known as Independent Arts Software.
According to GamesMarket, more than 40 employees are affected, and the company is now seeking “socially responsible solutions” for them. The closure is part of what the publication described as a strategic realignment.
Founded in Hamm in 1990 by Holger Kuchling, Independent Arts worked on more than 250 games over three decades. It was best known for ports and co-development work for publishers including Kalypso Media, Daedalic Entertainment, and Wild River Games.
Team17, now known as Everplay Group, acquired Astragon in 2022, and Astragon in turn acquired Independent Arts Software in April 2023 for up to $3.9 million (€3.5m), with plans to bring development of its working simulation games in-house and expand its portfolio across more platforms. Kuchling left the company in February 2025, and the studio was renamed Astragon Development three months later.
The closure is the latest in a series of cutbacks at Astragon. In January, the publisher pulled out of physical distribution entirely to focus on publishing.
It also follows the full release of Seafarer: The Ship Sim at the end of September. The game received more than $2 million (€1.8m) in German federal funding, but GamesMarket reported that its 1.0 launch drew far fewer players than its early access debut, and user reviews were “Mixed.” Astragon has said it will continue updating the game for now.