Nier developer to shut shop

Despite a largely positive reception in its home country of Japan, the Square Enix-published action role-playing Nier failed to wow audiences in North America.

Now, Japanese gaming news site Andria Sang is reporting that Nier developer Cavia will soon be incorporated into parent company AQ Interactive, a move that will see the studio ceasing to create titles under the "Cavia" name.

In an interview with Japanese gaming site 4gamer, members of Nier's development team revealed the title would be the studio's last before being absorbed into AQ. Later on, AQ requested that 4gamer specify that the Cavia brand will cease to exist following the move, although no reason was given.

AQ Interactive is also the parent company of Japanese game developers Artoon and FeelPlus, as well as US publisher Xseed Games. Cavia is best known for developing both Nier and the Drakengard series for Square Enix; the studio is also behind titles such as Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles, Bullet Witch, KORG DS-10, and Fate/Unlimited Codes.