The French studio DON'T NOD, known for Life is Strange, is facing a severe financial crisis and has warned of "significant uncertainty" regarding its continued operations after January 31, 2027.
The company is preparing for restructuring, which could lead to up to 90 job cuts in France. In the first half of 2026, DON'T NOD's revenue was €6.1 million – 14% less than the previous year. Including production costs, total operating revenue fell by 56%.
The studio's cash reserves are also rapidly dwindling: at the end of June, it had €9.8 million, and a month later – already €8 million. At the end of 2025, this figure was €15.4 million.
One of the reasons for the crisis was the weak sales of Aphelion. It is estimated that only a few thousand copies of the game were sold on Steam. Previous projects, including Vampyr, Twin Mirror, Tell Me Why, Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden, and Lost Records: Bloom & Rage, received good reviews but did not become commercial hits.
DON'T NOD wants to focus on one main production line, reducing costs. The company also allows for the sale of some assets and attracting external investors. Without additional funding, the studio may not survive the beginning of 2027.