Ivy Road Studio to Close in 2026 After Funding Failure

Ivy Road, the independent game studio known for its critically acclaimed title Wanderstop, announced Friday that it will close its doors on March 31, 2026, after failing to secure funding for its next project.

The studio, co-founded in 2021 by Davey Wreden of The Stanley Parable, Karla Zimonja of Gone Home, and composer Daniel "C418" Rosenfeld of Minecraft, cited challenges in the current funding landscape as the primary reason for the shutdown. In a blog post on its website, the team explained that despite efforts to find a publishing partner for its prototype, Engine Angel, no deal materialized. "While we tried to shop the concept around and find a publishing partner, unfortunately we weren't able to land a deal," the post stated. "It's a particularly tough time for raising game funds, so while we weren't necessarily surprised, we are disappointed that we won't be able to bring Engine Angel to life together as a team."

Engine Angel, conceived by team member Liz Caingcoy, was envisioned as an action-oriented game featuring vehicular combat, blending elements of driving mechanics with fast-paced hack-and-slash gameplay. Early footage shared by Caingcoy depicted players fighting...