Studio Camelia, the indie team behind the Mediterranean-inspired JRPG ALZARA: Radiant Echoes, has officially shut down. The game’s development has been placed on “indefinite pause” following the studio’s failure to secure an industry partner, despite a successful Kickstarter campaign that raised nearly €300,000. Backers will not receive refunds.
In a statement shared on Kickstarter, the team cited broader challenges within the gaming industry, including widespread layoffs and increased investor caution, as key factors behind the collapse. While the studio had secured partial funding and built a playable demo, attempts to land a publishing deal fell short, even after showcasing the project at major events like Tokyo Game Show and DICE. The studio entered liquidation on April 28.
The team emphasized that while there’s a slim chance the project could be revived by a third party, any future iteration of ALZARA would likely differ significantly from the original vision pitched to backers. Studio Camelia closed its message by thanking supporters for their enthusiasm and reaffirming the inherent risks of crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter.
