What just happened at Vermila Studios?
Bad news: Vermila Studios—the indie team behind Crisol: Theater of Idols—has let go of its staff and is down to just the CEO and one partner. The layoffs were reportedly driven by money problems, and while the company hasn’t formally shut its doors, the lead says things are rough and a full closure is a real possibility in the months ahead.
They’re actively looking for cash to keep going. That’s the kind of scramble indie developers hate: trying to finish projects or plan new ones while the payroll is an open question. Fans might remember we’d spoken to Vermila before; they were already toying with ideas for another horror game, but now that next project sits in limbo until the studio’s finances are sorted.
Why this matters — to players, devs, and the Spanish scene
This isn’t just one studio’s headache. Spain’s games industry has seen a string of tough moments lately, with a few companies shutting or restructuring. When a studio like Vermila gets into trouble, it’s a reminder that even creative hits and passionate teams aren’t immune to cash problems.
Developers’ groups have been pushing for government help—things like tax breaks, easier access to loan guarantees, or programs that help teams through quiet periods. Vermila’s leadership says that kind of support wouldn’t guarantee survival, but it would make shutdowns far less likely. In short: smarter financing could stop talented teams from vanishing overnight.
For players, the immediate impact is uncertainty about future releases and updates. For the community and the wider indie scene, every closure chips away at local talent and creative momentum. If you care about seeing more bold, small-studio games come out of Spain, this is exactly the kind of moment that matters.
Right now, everything depends on whether Vermila can secure funding or other forms of help. We’ll keep an eye on this and share updates if the studio lands support or announces a restart plan—fingers crossed the horror continues, not the shutdown.
