Funcom has announced the closure of The Outsiders, the Stockholm-based studio responsible for the critically acclaimed rhythm FPS, Metal: Hellsinger. The shutdown is a result of a wider restructuring and series of layoffs at Funcom, which acquired the studio in 2021.
The news was confirmed by The Outsiders' founder, David Goldfarb via Bluesky, who expressed his disappointment while also highlighting the team's resilience. He recalled a previous "near-death studio experience" when their project Darkborn was canceled, a setback that ultimately led to the creation of the award-winning Metal: Hellsinger. Despite the game's success and a dedicated fanbase, the studio has become the latest victim of the ongoing wave of layoffs that has plagued the video game industry throughout 2025.
I have not had much time to process the news but all of us at The Outsiders and Funcom Stockholm have been affected by the layoffs at Funcom and our 10 year old studio will be closing. Many of us had survived a near-death studio experience years back when Darkborn was cancelled, and because of this team's loyalty and refusal to quit, Metal Hellsinger was born. It will always be a high point for me personally and I will be forever grateful we got to make it and for the wonderful team and partnerships that made it happen.
We had hoped to do something even better this time--
--Things don't always to the way you hope.
But we are not giving up, and we are going to try to continue on in some new form. If you think you can help in any way, with business leads, placement for employees, guidance, whatever it is, I would be genuinely grateful if you reach out here. Change is always tough and right now we are all hurting.
We had hoped to do something even better this time--
--Things don't always to the way you hope.
But we are not giving up, and we are going to try to continue on in some new form. If you think you can help in any way, with business leads, placement for employees, guidance, whatever it is, I would be genuinely grateful if you reach out here. Change is always tough and right now we are all hurting.
