Champaign, Illinois – After three decades of crafting captivating gaming experiences, the renowned video game developer Volition, hailing from Champaign, Illinois, is bidding farewell.
The studio, famous for creating beloved titles such as Red Faction and Saints Row, is closing its doors as part of a restructuring program initiated by its parent company, Embracer Group, back in June.
In a heartfelt statement posted on LinkedIn, Volition expressed its gratitude to the global gaming community for their unwavering support over the years. “We thank our customers and fans around the world for all the love and support over the years,” the statement read. “You will always be in our hearts.”
Amid this difficult transition, Volition is committed to assisting its employees in securing new job opportunities and ensuring a smooth adjustment period. This marks the end of an era for the developer that has left an indelible mark on the gaming industry.
Founded in 1993 as Parallax Software, Volition began its journey with the critically acclaimed first-person spaceship shooter, Descent, which garnered widespread acclaim upon its release in 1995. Over the years, the studio evolved and expanded, taking on various projects, including FreeSpace 2, Summoner, and The Punisher.
However, it was their open-world action-adventure title, Saints Row, that truly propelled them to the forefront of the gaming world. Saints Row’s unique blend of humor and action resonated with gamers, leading to a successful series of sequels.
In 2012, Volition underwent a significant change when it was acquired by Koch Media and merged with Deep Silver to form Deep Silver Volition. The company continued to thrive, focusing on the Saints Row franchise and developing new titles like Agents of Mayhem.
In June 2023, as part of Embracer Group’s extensive restructuring efforts following a high-profile business deal collapse, Volition was forced to shut its doors, marking the end of an era. With a legacy of 18 titles developed and a few others canceled during production, Volition’s contribution to the gaming world will always be remembered.
Fans and industry insiders alike are left to reflect on the impact of this venerable gaming studio and its enduring creations, such as Red Faction and Saints Row, which will continue to captivate gamers for years to come.
