What reportedly went down
Former staff from Vermila Studios — the Spanish team behind Crisol: Theater of Idols — say the company is folding. Multiple ex-employees posted on social media that a layoff plan was put into motion and that the entire team has been let go, effectively shutting the studio. There’s still no official message from Vermila itself, so we’re relying on those firsthand accounts for now.
People who worked there for years, including designers and senior artists, have publicly announced they’re leaving after long runs at the studio. They say the team couldn’t keep moving forward even after Crisol shipped earlier this year.
Why this matters to players
Crisol landed back in February as a horror-shooter with a very Spanish twist — think a twisted Hispania, a soldier named Gabriel, and the gruesome gimmick of using his own blood as ammo. The game’s vibes and art direction prompted a lot of comparisons to BioShock, which is why some outlets even called it the “Spanish BioShock.”
Blumhouse Games published Crisol, marking one of their early forays into this kind of title. Reviews praised the game’s atmosphere and visuals, saying its strengths outweighed its flaws — which makes the studio’s potential closure sting for anyone who enjoyed the experience.
For players who want to support the team’s work, Crisol is still available on major stores: it’s currently discounted on PC and consoles (prices vary by storefront). Buying the game is the clearest way to back the creators while they hunt for their next gigs.
Bottom line: this is a sad moment for a small studio that built something distinctive. If you liked Crisol, keep an eye on the former devs’ feeds — many have years of experience and will likely pop up on other projects soon. And remember: for now, the closure news comes from ex-employees, not an official Vermila announcement.
