Relentless shutting down

Developer of Buzz! series, Murder Files closing as all employees being let go today

After almost 13 years, Brighton-based Relentless Software is shutting down. Company founder Andrew Eades confirmed the news for GamesIndustry.biz, saying that all employees were being made redundant today.

Relentless is best known as the creator of the BAFTA-winning Buzz! quiz franchise that thrived on Sony platforms during the mid-2000s. Since then, the company has worked on a wide variety of titles and platforms. While its Blue Toad Murder Files series may be the best known of its post-Buzz! efforts, the company also worked with Kinect on Nat Geo TV and Air Band, as well as mobile games that integrated with physical toys like CityVille Skies and Battleship zAPPed Edition.

Earlier this year, Relentless opened a studio in Wales with the assistance of the government and a commitment from Hasbro to invest in the studio and the community for three years. The studio had been intended to produce multiple projects based on Hasbro toy lines, and was to create 70 new jobs over its first two years.

Relentless opening Wales studio

Welsh government aid to see 70 new jobs created over next three years as developer extends partnership with Hasbro toys

By Brendan Sinclair

5 years ago

Relentless: "We have gone through profound change"

Andrew Eades takes sole ownership of a leaner company looking to rebuild

By Dan Pearson

8 years ago

Latest comments (8)

George Williams Owner 5 years ago

Shocked at the sudden news. Were any reasons given? I hope all those impacted can quickly find work. The industry can be so harsh sometimes

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Joanna Haslam Design Director, Snap Finger Click5 years ago

So sad to hear about this :( Had some wonderful times at this company in the eight years I was there.

Sending love to all my friends who are affected. You're all incredibly talented and I have no doubt you'll be snapped up quickly!

My current company, Mediatonic, are hiring: http://www.mediatonicgames.com/careers/
Feel free to get in touch with me if you're interested in any of the roles going.

Good luck to everyone, and hopefully see you all soon for some beers.

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Caspar Field Consultant, Talk Management5 years ago

Hello Relentless peoples. I'm really, really sorry to hear the news. I'm proud of everything we created in the four-and-a-bit years I was at the company - there was a lot of talent there. And, similar as Jo, I'll wish you all good luck, and also take the opportunity to say that Wish is also hiring, so if you want to join us in Brighton and help make great things, drop a line to jobs [at] wishstudios [dot] co [dot] uk

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Show all comments (8)

Benjamin Crause Supervisor Central Support, Nintendo of Europe5 years ago

Damn that's really bad. I enjoyed the Buzz!-Series.

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Chris Payne Managing Director & Founder, Quantum Soup Studios5 years ago

Really sad, and apparently quite sudden, as they recently announced they were opening a studio in Wales. Hope the team find awesome new roles quickly.

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Kayleigh Recruitment/PR Manager, West Pier Studio5 years ago

Everyone at West Pier Studio was also very shocked and saddened to hear the news about Relentless. They made some great games. We are also hiring, you can visit our jobs page on our website here www.westpierstudio.com/jobs and follow us on twitter to get regular updates @westpierstudio

We would like to take this opportunity to wish all the Relentless guys all the best for the future, I agree with Jo, no one will be on the market very long. Good luck guys x

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Rob Murray Talent Attraction Manager, Dovetail Games5 years ago

Real shame to hear - some very talented people who made great games and I hope they can find something very soon.

We're hiring here at Dovetail Games - you can visit our careers page here: www.dovetailgames.com/vacancies

Best of luck to everyone at Relentless.

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Rebecca Askham Recruitment Consultant, Sumo Digital Ltd5 years ago

Dreadful news, a real blow to the UK industry :-(

Hopefully all affected will find new employment as lots of UK studios are recruiting. Sumo Digital have many open positions here in Sheffield and our new Nottingham studio and always welcome speculative applications in all areas. Our website has all the details: www.sumo-digital.com/career

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