The publisher Astragon Entertainment, a part of the Everplay Group holding, announced the imminent dissolution of Astragon Development. The studio has existed for nearly four decades.
Seafarer: The Ship Sim
The closure is tied to a strategic shift at Astragon Entertainment. The publisher has decided to focus on its core business — releasing games from external teams. Astragon Development was the publisher’s sole internal studio responsible for game development.
Astragon Entertainment stated that the studio will not shut down immediately. First, the company intends to fully fulfill all ongoing contractual and financial obligations. Additionally, it is currently seeking "socially responsible solutions" for the employees affected by layoffs to mitigate adverse impacts.
It is worth noting that Astragon Development was originally called Independent Arts Software. The studio was founded in Germany in 1990 and has been involved in the creation of more than 250 games throughout its history. In 2023, it came under the banner of Astragon Entertainment and subsequently changed its name.
The last project by Astragon Development was Seafarer: The Ship Sim — a marine vessel simulator released in September 2026. The publisher has promised to continue releasing updates for the game until the operations of Astragon Development cease. What will happen with the support for Seafarer: The Ship Sim after the studio’s closure remains unknown.