Mighty No.9 Developer Shutters Studio Permanently
Comcept, the studio recognized for developing the game Mighty No. 9, has permanently ceased operations. The closure was reported by Kanpo, a prominent business newspaper in Japan.
The Timeline of Comcept’s History
Founded in 2010 by Keiji Inafune, who previously led the Mega Man franchise, Comcept was an ambitious endeavor. In 2017, the studio was merged into Level-5 Comcept. Following Inafune’s departure, the continuing operations of the studio were fully absorbed by Level-5, rebranding it as part of their Osaka office.
Mighty No. 9: A Troubled Development
Mighty No. 9 gained attention as it was funded by Kickstarter in 2013, accumulating over $4 million. Despite its promising pedigree, the game faced widespread criticism upon release. Players and critics pointed out significant flaws in gameplay, narrative coherence, technical performance, and overall content.
- Release Date: The game launched in 2016.
- Funding: Raised over $4 million via Kickstarter.
- Critique: Encountered negative reviews regarding gameplay and production quality.
The Impact on Backers
This closure brings an unfortunate end to the hope for backers awaiting the 3DS version of Mighty No. 9, which was a Kickstarter stretch goal. Although the project had reached its funding goals, the 3DS version was never produced. Last year, pre-orders for the handheld version were canceled, diminishing the prospects of receiving any copies.
Legacy of Comcept
While the studio is often remembered for the shortcomings of Mighty No. 9, it also contributed to the development of Recore under the Level 5 Comcept banner. This game also received mixed reviews at launch.
The closure of Comcept signifies the end of an era for a studio that sparked significant expectations but ultimately faced numerous challenges. The fate of the studio serves as a reminder in the gaming industry of the hurdles in game development and production.
