GRIN officially closes

Swedish developer of Bionic Commando, Terminator Salvation says goodbye, former employees form Outbreak Studios.

The past year was a prodigious one for Swedish developer GRIN. Last August, the developer's downloadable NES remake Bionic Commando Rearmed debuted on the Xbox 360, PC, and PlayStation 3. That kicked off a 12-month run that also saw the studio produce Wanted: Weapons of Fate, Terminator Salvation, and 3D action series reboot Bionic Commando.

GRIN produced four major releases in its last year of existence.

Unfortunately, those titles--mostly met with lukewarm reactions from critics and consumers--will go down as the company's last. Following up on yesterday's reports of mass layoffs at the studio, GRIN's official site carries word of the company's closure.

"It is with a heavy heart we announce today that GRIN has been forced to close its doors," reads the statement, credited to cofounders Bo Andersson and Ulf Andersson. "This as too many publishers have been delaying their payments, causing an unbearable cash flow situation. After 12 years of hard work, employing hundreds of wonderfully talented men and women, it is over."

The statement doesn't specify which publishers' payment procrastination necessitated the closure. In the last year, GRIN has publicly worked with Capcom, Equity Games, Evolved Games, and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment.

GRIN's farewell doesn't make it clear what type of project the studio was working on, although it does reference, "our unreleased masterpiece that we weren't allowed to finish." Earlier this decade, the developer worked on a gladiatorial combat game for the original Xbox called Vultures, but that title was canceled before release. The company also worked on the PC ports of Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter and its sequel for Ubisoft.

GRIN may be gone, but some of its developers are already hard at work at a new venture. Terminator Salvation lead programmer Peter Bjorklund has brought together nearly two dozen other members of the game's development team and founded Outbreak Studios in Goteborg, Sweden. The studio doesn't have any announced projects yet, but its Web site suggests an emphasis on digital distribution.

"Our mission is to develop titles for Xbox 360 (XBLA), PS3 (PlayStation Store), Games for Windows Live, PSP Go and iPhone. We also deliver online components for AAA titles, both existing or upcoming," the site says.

209 Comments

  • ChrisM95

    Posted Nov 1, 2009 10:32 am PT

    It's sad that there won't be a Bionic Commando 2.... the game was great!

  • xfactor19990

    Posted Sep 20, 2009 4:13 pm PT

    Hmmm i just realized they closed, i never really played their games until today, wanted was decent but very short

  • Gezquester

    Posted Aug 16, 2009 2:35 pm PT

    Dang, I thought Wanted: Weapons of Fate and Bionic Commando were awesome. Oh well, farewell Grin.

  • VXLbeast

    Posted Aug 16, 2009 11:50 am PT

    What is with all the losers giving thumbs down? These poor, real people lost their jobs! Not only that, but their ambition, their dreams, their blood sweat and tears with in that company. To lose something you worked so hard to create must be emotionally crushing. I feel terribly sorry for these peopel.

  • GtownStripes

    Posted Aug 16, 2009 6:48 am PT

    Im glad to hear that a new Studio got started anyways. And in gothenburg. The frontside of Sweden. May their luck be greater than with Grin.

  • Gblazer01

    Posted Aug 16, 2009 1:56 am PT

    it happens to the best of us GRIN

  • AnelZukic

    Posted Aug 15, 2009 1:02 pm PT

    GRIN was one great company but guees that some of them found a new home

  • Jak_Napier

    Posted Aug 15, 2009 11:28 am PT

    This isnt anything to smile about.

  • sun_rider95

    Posted Aug 15, 2009 7:18 am PT

    they had ideas but they couldn't show them ...i feel sorry for grin

  • Quinzark

    Posted Aug 15, 2009 7:04 am PT

    a shame but maybe the new studio will rise from the ash phoenix-esq & produce some masterpieces of XBLA games (& for the others too).

  • gamerfps

    Posted Aug 14, 2009 6:29 pm PT

    I enjoyed all their games, so this is disappointing. The PC GRAWs were awesome, both BC's were a complete nostalgia trip for me, Wanted was good, dumb fun and Terminator: Salvation was a nice, solid (albeit short) shooter.

    This seemed inevitable for them, though. None of their games got the marketing or support from the publishers that they deserved.

  • hannify

    Posted Aug 14, 2009 1:06 pm PT

    whos grinning now

  • Berserkerz

    Posted Aug 14, 2009 10:21 am PT

    They didn't make the best games. Heck, they never even made a GOOD game, but you gotta realize all these guys have talents. Be back to show'em GRIN.

  • Rottenwood

    Posted Aug 14, 2009 9:41 am PT

    Bionic Commando Rearmed was superb; it's a shame their other projects were far below that threshold. With their knack for classic gaming and sharp senses of humor, I think these guys would make a good small-time developer focusing on DLC games. Once the dust settles, maybe start again on a smaller scale, with none of the big-time projects that really tanked the company.

  • Sovereign_13

    Posted Aug 14, 2009 7:24 am PT

    While they obviously didn't produce games of the highest quality, its never a good thing to see a developer close.

  • S_Pac_316

    Posted Aug 14, 2009 1:37 am PT

    If people would have learned how to play the New Bionic Commando better, then they would see that it is a good game. But any way, this really sucks. Hopefully their new studio will pick up the slack...

  • Lionoversusking

    Posted Aug 14, 2009 12:09 am PT

    Their own fault they should have known how to make games that were enjoyable if they were so talented. Its a shame they could have been good.

  • Peacesells92

    Posted Aug 14, 2009 12:09 am PT

    All these people are cheering the loss of these people's jobs. Sure, their games were less than stellar, but these are real people who worked hard. Anyone trying to defend them keep getting thumbs down and to tell you the truth, i had a lot of fun with Wanted. Sure, it wasn't a great game, but it put quiet a few smiles on my face.

  • noizynet

    Posted Aug 13, 2009 8:25 pm PT

    wish they could have made Bionic Commando better. Rearmed really hyped my belief they could do it.

  • gerudoman320

    Posted Aug 13, 2009 6:52 pm PT

    GRIN, ill miss you, but only because you made Bionic Commando REarmed, that was AWESOME, thanks for that

  • starfox15 posted Aug 13, 2009 6:24 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    starfox15

    Posted Aug 13, 2009 6:24 pm PT (hide)

    They made crappy games. I don't care.

  • Chief_Kuuni

    Posted Aug 13, 2009 6:07 pm PT

    it's too bad stuff like this happens, gotta feel bad for the workers that all are out of jobs but it's the way of life

  • shamarke

    Posted Aug 13, 2009 5:02 pm PT

    Cool picture...

  • BloodMist

    Posted Aug 13, 2009 4:44 pm PT

    Can't say i'm crying over it.

  • rikhan_z

    Posted Aug 13, 2009 4:12 pm PT

    GRIN = Terminated

  • fleshandblood10

    Posted Aug 13, 2009 3:57 pm PT

    Wanted: WOF Was a fairly fun if average shooter, which I really enjoyed. The mechanics were well thought out. Terminator was best left un-done but Bionic commando is alright for what it is. IT was never in the high-end of the market prices so it was ok for what it was. Its a shame that smaller companys are still closing. Even mid range games are good to kill a couple of hours.

  • AnarchyRising

    Posted Aug 13, 2009 3:36 pm PT

    "our unreleased masterpiece that we weren't allowed to finish." Yeah right. What was it? Asteroids REBOOT? Good riddance.

  • Knutte79

    Posted Aug 13, 2009 3:26 pm PT

    I am from sweden and didnt licke grin!!! im happy now no more grin yey

  • snake289

    Posted Aug 13, 2009 2:36 pm PT

    This is what they get making 3 titles at once seriously Bionic Commando could of been amazing just like Rearmed...

  • kilaan

    Posted Aug 13, 2009 12:57 pm PT

    A crappy company that made crappy games going out of business, who would of thought. God I felt so ripped off by GRAW 2. Had 3 copies of the game on 3 different machines and each one of them would randomly crash.

  • MadGamer132

    Posted Aug 13, 2009 11:30 am PT

    another one bites the dust

  • kytomasi

    Posted Aug 13, 2009 11:23 am PT

    pfft dont try to downtalk them now. they helped with Graw 1 & 2. people always seem to forget the good games and only focus on the bad. Its sad to see them go

  • kvan33

    Posted Aug 13, 2009 11:16 am PT

    Yikes! That's one lackluster line-up. OH, but the unfinished masterpiece is left unfinished? See ya GRIN.

  • ernest-young posted Aug 13, 2009 10:58 am PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    ernest-young

    Posted Aug 13, 2009 10:58 am PT (hide)

    With games like that, no wonder they went out of business. We're talkin' about "Grade A" trash here. Not that fake stuff, but the real 100% prime trash baby!!!

  • Sins-of-Mosin

    Posted Aug 13, 2009 10:53 am PT

    Wanted wasn't that bad really but the actual movie was so that sure didn't help. Same about the Terminator game and movie.

  • fredwv

    Posted Aug 13, 2009 10:17 am PT

    well, i guess they had the 'grin' wiped off their faces.

  • BatrozX

    Posted Aug 13, 2009 10:11 am PT

    It's sad...how many game development teams are leaving the competition. But hey, what can we do, we all have economical problems.

  • King_Jeremy_77

    Posted Aug 13, 2009 10:07 am PT

    Sucky news.

  • Col_Kilgore

    Posted Aug 13, 2009 9:46 am PT

    Worst company logo. Bionic Commando was a missed opportunity. It isn't a bad game but nowadays that simply isn't good enough. It's a sandbox tease is what it is, and it's lack of enemy variety and disappointing weaponry helped to hurt this game. I did like Rearmed though. Overall it's a shame but maybe they'll start a new company and have a new logo.

  • jmartin1016 posted Aug 13, 2009 9:45 am PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    jmartin1016

    Posted Aug 13, 2009 9:45 am PT (hide)

    I thought they did mirrors edge as well?

  • Cetanu07

    Posted Aug 13, 2009 9:28 am PT

    always liked their logo

  • sieg6529

    Posted Aug 13, 2009 9:26 am PT

    I really enjoyed the PS3 remake of Bionic Commando, but I never played any of the others. I think they could have made a killing on NES remakes, assuming Nintendo would play nice.

  • green_dominator

    Posted Aug 13, 2009 9:13 am PT

    I don't think I ever heard of them, still it sucks they had to shut down.....Maybe Outbreak will do better....

  • frankcrisostomo

    Posted Aug 13, 2009 9:08 am PT

    To GRIN:
    Thanks for ruining Bionic Commando for us.

  • ele975

    Posted Aug 13, 2009 9:02 am PT

    I feel bad for my neighbours, i'm sure the new studio will do ok

  • bobdimstar

    Posted Aug 13, 2009 8:57 am PT

    another one bites the dust

  • georgeorjose

    Posted Aug 13, 2009 8:56 am PT

    i have not heard of this developer... oh well.

  • Narutofan30 posted Aug 13, 2009 8:37 am PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    Narutofan30

    Posted Aug 13, 2009 8:37 am PT (hide)

    Its a fight out there Only the TOUGH Survie! Only The strong Survie.

  • StephenBassford

    Posted Aug 13, 2009 8:24 am PT

    Looks like they aren't 'Grin'ing anymore.

    They're games weren't bad, per se, but they just showed a lack of polish and length (Wanted, Bion Commando, Terminator Salvation).

    I can't say I'm glad to see them go, but you can't expect great sells with sub-par games.

  • Ryguy4738

    Posted Aug 13, 2009 8:19 am PT

    Thats too bad...but I guess its not a huge loss

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