Vigil Games’ Darksiders 2 was an interesting follow-up to the original – it didn’t have the same mechanics and actually emphasized puzzle-solving and reflexive combat over the original’s action adventure approach. It wasn’t a success sadly and Nordic Games CEO Lars Wingefors, who now owns the IP, reveals why.
Speaking to MCV, he stated that, “Darksiders is a top product. THQ spent $50 million making Darksiders 2. We can produce a product of the same quality but for a lower cost. $50 million is ridiculous. I can’t afford that.”
So unless Darksiders 2 was an exceptional product, there was no way it was going to recoup all of that money.
Regardless, Wingefors believes picking up the IP and several others from THQ was a good idea. “The THQ deal was the best I ever made. I spent $5 million from my own bank account. It was a lot of money for me, but we got the money back very quickly.”
Darksiders may return in the near future with Gunfire Games, composed of several ex-Vigil Games members, exploring the possibility.