Rune Factory team ceases operations due to bankruptcy

[Trent the Paladin]

Rune Factory developer Neverland will be ceasing operations, the company has announced via its official website (via: Game Jouhou).

Neverland say that performance has been sluggish due to changes in the business environment in recent years, and that their financial status has deteriorated considerably.

Additionally, attempts to raise funds to continue operations have been unsuccessful, and Neverland are closing down as of today. They will begin filing proceedings for bankruptcy soon.

Neverland have been responsible for the development of Marvelous AQL?s Rune Factory series ever since its conception. While Rune Factory 4 is the fastest-selling title in the series yet, it appears its success wasn?t enough to turn Neverland?s fortunes around.

This also raises the question of what will happen to Rune Factory 5, which Marvelous previously confirmed would be coming eventually. In addition to Rune Factory, Neverland also worked on games such as Lufia and Shining Force.

Source: http://www.siliconera.com/2013/11/29/rune-factory-developer-ceases-operations-filing-bankruptcy/

http://nooooooooooooooo.com/

Rune Factory was the better Harvest Moon in my opinion and this leaves me pretty bummed. I really hope someone comes along to save them, because even though it's a niche game, it's still very fun and RF4 sold quite a bit.

 

[BellGreen]

I never played a Rune Factory game, but I think it should continue. I loved seeing the playthroughs on YouTube and it gets boring just watching the same game.

 

[oath2order]

So Marvelous is taking production of RF5?

 

[Trent the Paladin]

I never played a Rune Factory game, but I think it should continue. I loved seeing the playthroughs on YouTube and it gets boring just watching the same game.

If you get the chance, you should definitely try out Rune Factory 4 on 3DS. Well recieved and XSEED does great translations.

EDIT: Oath: Nobody knows yet.

 

[Isabelle for president!]

I just froze for a few minutes... What's gonna happen to my favourite series now?! D; I dunno what to say, I'm just speechless...

 

[radical6]

i was interested in rune factory 4 but otherwise ive never played a rune factory game. sad to hear a company closing tho.
is RF4 worth it? ive never played a harvest moon game either but idk

 

[Trent the Paladin]

I just froze for a few minutes... What's gonna happen to my favourite series now?! D; I dunno what to say, I'm just speechless...

I really hope someone picks them up, either Sony, Nintendo or a third party company if Marvelous can't pull them out.

i was interested in rune factory 4 but otherwise ive never played a rune factory game. sad to hear a company closing tho.
is RF4 worth it? ive never played a harvest moon game either but idk

Yes.

 

[KarlaKGB]

What are sales figures for RF like outside of JP?

 

[Aloha]

I suggest for anyone who wanted the game,who didn't buy it,it's best you run to gamestop now to get your copy before it becomes rare and ends up selling on ebay for $200 LOL.

 

[Volvagia]

i was interested in rune factory 4 but otherwise ive never played a rune factory game. sad to hear a company closing tho.
is RF4 worth it? ive never played a harvest moon game either but idk

yes its def worth it

but srsly wow. i loved rf4 ):

 

[windfall]

There is hope! Sort of X__x

Edit: The following is from a blog post that Yoshifumi Hashimoto posted on the japanese rf4 blog (translated into english; source below)

?Hello, Hashimoto here.

How are you guys enjoying Rune Factory 4?

I?d like to take this occasion to make a comment about the future.

As of now, it?ll still remain a secret as to what kind of title we?ll be releasing next, but I can say that the staff members are still doing great.

I will leave it at that for now, and I thank you for your continue support.

Producer, Yoshifumi Hashimoto?

Hopefully we'll see RF5 :c
I still haven't gotten my hands on rf4 yet but I've played the other three handheld ones and it'd be a shame to see the series end.

Source: http://www.siliconera.com/2013/11/29/rune-factory-series-producer-shares-brief-message-future/

 

[Trent the Paladin]

I hope that means good things, I look forward to hearing more news from them in the coming days.

 

[Officer Berri]

It's a shame to hear that the company's gone under. However, at least I can say that I finally got a Rune Factory game I could actually play since I don't want to play as a boy. 9_9 (That one game on the Wii doesn't count because the girl option just seems tacked on and they barely put any effort into it.)

I had to go out and order this game today after hearing this because I don't want to wait a few months down the line and find out sellers have jacked up the price on it since the company's closed down.