lodislot-On July 8th, industry veterans Jennifer Pankratz and Bj ö rn Pankratz announced on X (Twitter) the establishment of their independent studio Pithead Studio. The two worked together for nearly 20 years at Piranha bytes (representative work “Risen”) under Embracer (formerly THQ Nordic), serving as narrative and game designers as well as creative directors.lodislot
Embracer revealed earlier this year that after a series of large-scale mergers and acquisitions, the company is facing financial challenges and plans to reduce its financial burden through measures such as layoffs, project cancellations, and asset sales. At that time, Piranha bytes publicly admitted to facing difficulties, but still maintained an optimistic attitude and encouraged fans to maintain confidence. Although the news of Piranha bytes being shut down by Embracer is unconfirmed, Jennifer and Bj ö rn’s departures undoubtedly confirm the internal changes within the studio.lodislot
In the statement video posted on YouTube, the two did not directly discuss the current situation of their former employer, but expressed gratitude for the support provided by the community during the period of rumors. They emphasized that establishing an independent studio is the most ideal path to continue the dream of game creation, and hope to develop “immersive and engaging” independent games at Pithead Studio.lodislot
