British developer Ballistic Moon, known for the 2024 remake of the horror game Until Dawn, has officially shut its doors. Founded in 2020 by producer Duncan Kershaw, creative director Neil McEwan, and technical director Chris Lamb, the studio operated for less than five years.
The studio’s first major release was the Until Dawn remake for PS5 and PC, which updated the original 2015 game with enhanced graphics and additional scenes. Although praised for its visual upgrades, the remake faced criticism for performance issues and a $60 price tag that many fans felt didn’t justify purchasing it over the beloved original.
A month before the remake’s release in September 2024, Ballistic Moon announced significant staff layoffs. The studio cited the challenging environment of the gaming industry and the need to streamline operations to secure its future beyond Until Dawn development.
Despite these efforts, the studio could not recover. In November 2025, Ballistic Moon was officially removed from the UK’s Companies House registry. According to a notice published in the government publication The Gazette, the company was struck off on January 21 and fully liquidated by February 3, 2025.
The 2024 Until Dawn remake holds a Metacritic score of 70 with an average user rating of 6.8. On Steam, reception was warmer, with roughly 81% positive reviews from players.
In 2024, a film adaptation set in the Until Dawn universe, centered around a time-loop mechanic, was released. It earned mixed reviews, scoring 52% from critics and 66% from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes.
Challenges faced by Ballistic Moon in the gaming industry
Ballistic Moon’s closure highlights the risks smaller studios face when reviving beloved franchises under high expectations. With mounting industry pressures and dominance by big publishers, studios like Ballistic Moon struggle to find sustainable footing. Balancing budget, performance, and fan loyalty remains a key challenge for future remakes as the horror genre evolves on current-gen platforms.