We’ve seen over the years that no matter how many great games a company makes, that doesn’t mean they’re ever completely safe. It’s a harsh reality of the video games industry, and there have been numerous examples to back that up. No one likes it when it happens, but there are times when beloved companies just cannot keep their doors open any longer due to one reason or another, and as such are forced to shut down, taking all their popular properties and franchises with them. In this feature, we’re going to take a look at fifteen game companies that got shot down despite having made some great games through the years.
THQ
With franchises such as Saints Row, Darksiders and Homefront – to name just a few from several – under their banners, their shuttering was the last thing anyone could have wanted. But it happened, and it stung. THQ made a number of great games over the years, but due to financial issues, the company had to be shut down, and lay offs, flagship releases and major sales could do nothing to prevent that. THQ and all their remaining franchises now live on as THQ Nordic after their rights were purchased in 2013, so at least there’s solace in the fact that they live on in some form.
