Nerial, the UK studio behind Reigns and Card Shark, has entered hibernation mode and laid off its remaining staff after 13 years and 11 published games. The co-founders François and Tamara Alliot announced the mutual decision with parent company Devolver Digital, which acquired the studio in 2021. A prior 40 percent headcount reduction in 2025 failed to stem the losses that preceded the full wind-down.

Companies House filings cited in reporting show the studio posted nearly £1 million in losses for 2024 and more than £800,000 in 2025, leaving it dependent on Devolver support. Devolver retains rights to the existing catalogue, including the Reigns series and recent titles like The Crush House and Reigns: The Witcher. The founders described the move as a pause for reflection before returning to independent roots.

The studio's final statement praised the team and urged other studios to hire them while noting the adventure began with no expectations in 2013. This latest UK closure follows a familiar pattern of small teams squeezed by trading losses and publishing alignment pressures.

The announcement arrived with the now-standard somber-background post, complete with the founders' self-aware nod to the industry's endless layoff cycle.