Amazon Games has terminated development on “King of Meat,” an online multiplayer dungeon crawler being created by the independent studio Glowmade. The decision results in the immediate closure of the project and the studio’s search for new opportunities for its team. This move highlights the ongoing volatility within the game publishing sector, particularly for mid-size development studios reliant on major platform holders.
Project Termination and Immediate Impact
The cancellation was communicated to the team at Glowmade, a studio based in Guildford, UK. “King of Meat” was in active development as a cooperative action game. Amazon Games, the publishing arm of the tech giant, has decided to cease its investment and shut down the title. Employees at Glowmade are now affected by the project’s termination, though the studio itself remains operational.
Glowmade confirmed the news in a public statement. The studio expressed pride in the work done on the game and disappointment at not being able to bring the vision to players. The statement indicated that the team is now exploring new projects and partnerships. Amazon Games has not provided detailed public reasoning for the cancellation beyond standard strategic portfolio evaluations.
Background on Glowmade and Amazon Games
Glowmade is known for its previous title, “Rustheart,” a cooperative robot-building game. The studio was founded by veterans from major game companies, bringing experience in creative and technical development. Its partnership with Amazon Games for “King of Meat” represented a significant step, leveraging Amazon’s resources for a larger-scale online project.
Amazon Games has pursued an aggressive strategy to establish itself in the game publishing market. Its portfolio includes major titles like “New World,” “Lost Ark,” and the upcoming “Throne and Liberty.” The division has experienced both high-profile successes and cancellations, such as the earlier shutdown of “Crucible,” reflecting the competitive and high-stakes nature of game publishing.
Industry Context and Reactions
The gaming industry has seen a wave of project cancellations and studio downsizing throughout 2024 and early 2025. Economic pressures, rising development costs, and a crowded market have led publishers to scrutinize projects more intensely. A game’s potential for long-term live service engagement often becomes a critical factor for survival, especially for multiplayer-focused titles like “King of Meat.”
Industry analysts note that such cancellations, while difficult for the teams involved, are a standard part of portfolio management for large publishers like Amazon. The decision typically follows internal reviews of a project’s development progress, market fit, and projected return on investment. The resources allocated to a cancelled project are frequently redirected to other titles with stronger perceived prospects.
Next Steps and Future Outlook
Glowmade’s immediate focus is on securing the future of its development team. The studio is actively seeking a new publishing partner or alternative funding to begin work on a new intellectual property. The team’s experience in cooperative gameplay and online systems remains a valuable asset in the industry.
For Amazon Games, the cancellation allows the division to concentrate its development and marketing efforts on its remaining slate of announced games. The company is expected to continue its strategy of investing in a mix of internally developed MMOs and externally published titles from independent studios. Further announcements regarding new partnerships or project greenlights are anticipated in the coming months as the publisher refines its strategic focus.
Source: GamesIndustry.biz
