After disappointing performances from Jusant and Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden, Don’t Nod, the French developer and publisher behind hit titles like Life is Strange, has shifted its focus to its upcoming game, Lost Records: Bloom & Rage. The company expressed high hopes for the new title following a positive reception from the press during its preview at Gamescom.
In its latest financial report, Don’t Nod announced a partial write-down of €24 million for Jusant and Banishers, citing their failure to generate future cash flows that justified the valuation of these projects. Despite strong critical feedback, the commercial performance of these two games fell short of the company’s expectations. This shortfall has forced the studio to reconsider its 2024 financial outlook and make tough decisions regarding its future roadmap.
Lost Records: Bloom & Rage received glowing reviews at Gamescom, raising the studio’s expectations. The game is set to release in two parts, with the first installment launching on 18th February 2025 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S, followed by the second part on 18th March 2025. Originally slated for a 2024 release, the game was pushed back to avoid clashing with the launch of Life is Strange: Double Exposure, another highly anticipated title from the studio, scheduled for release in October 2024.
CEO Oskar Guilbert expressed disappointment over the recent financial results but emphasized that the company remains focused on maximizing the potential of Lost Records and other projects in the pipeline. “We are obviously disappointed by our recent performance in an extremely competitive and selective market,” Guilbert said. “Despite an excellent critical reception, Jusant and Banishers unfortunately did not achieve the commercial results we had hoped for.”
In addition to Lost Records: Bloom & Rage, Don’t Nod is developing two other in-house, unnamed projects, expected to be released by 2027. The company is also backing two external publishing projects due for release next year. Meanwhile, two other internal projects currently in the design phase have been temporarily paused to prioritize resources and increase the likelihood of success for games with higher potential.
As the studio continues to evolve in a competitive industry, its upcoming releases will be crucial in shaping its future trajectory. Fans and critics alike will be closely watching Lost Records: Bloom & Rage as it aims to deliver the creative storytelling that has defined Don’t Nod’s reputation.
