Devolver-owned Reigns developer Nerial closes after 13 years
Nerial, the independent developer behind the Reigns series, is closing down after 13 years in operation and laying off staff. CEO Tamara Alliot and Creative Director François Alliot announced the decision as “entering hibernation mode” in a joint statement, made in consultation with parent company Devolver Digital, which acquired Nerial in 2021. The founders cited a need for change but did not elaborate on specific reasons. The team is reportedly “seeking new opportunities.”
Nerial’s most successful title was the original Reigns, a mobile strategy game launched in 2016 that generated an estimated $6.2 million in revenue. The franchise spawned multiple spin-offs including Reigns: Game of Thrones ($2.2 million estimated revenue), Reigns: Three Kingdoms released via Netflix, and Reigns: The Witcher ($191,000). Several Reigns titles were distributed through Apple Arcade and Google Play Pass.
Beyond the franchise, Nerial released 11 games total during its history, including Card Shark and The Crush House, a narrative thriller launched on PC in 2024. The use of “hibernation mode” language suggests the studio may potentially revive rather than permanently cease operations.