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GRIN Shuts Its Doors

Delayed publisher payments cited as reason for Swedish studio's demise.

By Jeff Gerstmann  |  Aug. 12, 2009


Gunnar and Ulf's signatures, up on our 'Wall of Fame.' 
Gunnar and Ulf's signatures, up on our 'Wall of Fame.' 
Between the rumors of layoffs and the launching of a new studio comprised of ex-GRINners, the official word that Swedish studio GRIN has closed its doors doesn't feel like much of a surprise. Hearing about the sales figures for games like Bionic Commando, Wanted: Weapons of Fate, and Terminator: Salvation certainly didn't help either.

The word comes via a message on the company's official site, attributed to Bo and Ulf Andersson, the brothers that founded the company.

Here's part of what they had to say:

It is with a heavy heart we announce today that GRIN has been forced to close its doors. This as too many publishers have been delaying their payments, causing an unbearable cashflow situation.

After twelve years of hard work, employing hundreds of wonderfully talented men and women, it is over. It has been a great adventure and the GRIN family has experienced what few have. 

Looking back at twelve years of games, titles such as Ballistics, Bandits, GRAW 1 & 2, Bionic Commando Rearmed, Wanted: Weapons of Fate, Terminator: Salvation, Bionic Commando and our unreleased masterpiece that we weren’t allowed to finish; it has been a great ride. 

So far, GRIN is survived by Outbreak Studios, a new company founded by Peter Björklund, formerly of GRIN and DICE. Also, there's Fatshark's Lead & Gold: Gangs of the Wild West, a third-person shooter with a team-based multiplayer focus. L&G is is being built on GRIN's Diesel Engine. This is the same engine used on Bionic Commando, BC: Rearmed, and the PC version of GRAW.

So we're pouring out some Turkish Peber and Djungelvrål over here for GRIN... also because Turkish Peber and Djungelvrål both taste like spraying ant poison directly into your mouth and shouldn't be eaten by anyone, ever. While I take care of that, if you're interested in hearing more about the company, we've had GRIN on the podcast a couple of times.
Filed under: Ulf Andersson, Bo Andersson, GRIN
206 Comments
Grimmy616on Aug. 12, 2009 at 1:06 p.m.
The workers that stopped by seemed like really cool guys. Too bad for them :(
Bigandtastyon Aug. 12, 2009 at 1:07 p.m.
I never played anything other than the Wanted demo (should probably get BC Rearmed sometime) but this is sad news to see any half-decent game developer close its doors.
Ginger_Avengeron Aug. 12, 2009 at 1:07 p.m.
Sad stuff, never good to hear about something like this.
Heartagramon Aug. 12, 2009 at 1:07 p.m.
O wow that sucks although none of  their games have been outstanding there seemed like tons of potential there
Coltonio7on Aug. 12, 2009 at 1:08 p.m.
Never Forget <3
AngeTheDudeon Aug. 12, 2009 at 1:08 p.m.
Another studio bites the dust...
PeasForFeeson Aug. 12, 2009 at 1:09 p.m.
Sad but those games weren't that good anyhow
Kohe321on Aug. 12, 2009 at 1:09 p.m.
Too bad. Those who were on the podcast were cool guys.
Jayzillaon Aug. 12, 2009 at 1:09 p.m.
that really stinks. the podcast they were on where you tasted candy for 40 minutes was absolute gold. RIP GRiN.
gingertastic_10on Aug. 12, 2009 at 1:09 p.m.
I'm dead on the inside. I'm going away for awhile. Those guys were great.
Blood_for_the_blood_Godon Aug. 12, 2009 at 1:11 p.m.

no more swedish candy!?
MattBodega moderator on Aug. 12, 2009 at 1:11 p.m.
That is a total bummer. I though BC:Rearmed was totally wonderful, a remake that enhanced my appreciation of the original game to boot. It's a damn shame to see those guys and girls go, depriving the video game world of another completely badass techno soundtrack.
LiquidPrince is online on Aug. 12, 2009 at 1:13 p.m.
Hopefully they can return in another form.
nanikoreon Aug. 12, 2009 at 1:13 p.m.
@Blood_for_the_blood_God: I can send them some.
TheKidNixonon Aug. 12, 2009 at 1:14 p.m.
While GRIN never fulfilled there full potential, I think they certain proved themselves to be passionate about making good games and less interested in just shoveling out crap. Sad to see them reach the end of the road. Though, curious what this "masterpiece" project was going to be.
danterandal19on Aug. 12, 2009 at 1:14 p.m.
I find it a bit peculiar that I just happened to finish Bionic Commando Rearmed right before this press release came out. It's always a shame to hear about companies closing their doors & people getting laid off, not to mention that this was a hard-working company that had a banner year with big releases (granted, the releases didn't do so hot). I also got truly attached to the guys from Grin whenever they came onto the Bombcast (the Swedish candy taste-test is a classic). 
 
I wish them all well.
Meltbrainon Aug. 12, 2009 at 1:14 p.m.
Oh man what a bummer. I hope those guys manage to get work elsewhere.
Dethfish is online on Aug. 12, 2009 at 1:17 p.m.

That's a bummer. It sucks to see good guys lose their jobs. 
 
Giantbomb/se,com coming soon, right?
NickMon Aug. 12, 2009 at 1:17 p.m.
Well, that sucks :/
Shadowon Aug. 12, 2009 at 1:19 p.m.
All of those games had one thing in common: they were just milking franchises, and what little story they did add to each one was cliche and pretty boring

Dig Deeper into Ulf Andersson

Ulf Andresson is the co-founder and director of the now-defunct Swedish developer, GRIN.

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