Nihilistic Software ditch retail games to focus on downloadable and mobile products

Nihilistic Software, the studio currently working on Call of Duty: Black Ops Declassified for PS Vita, has announced it is shifting away from retail products.

In a post on the company's Facebook page, the developer outlined reasons for its decision.

"There's no bigger cliché in the videogame industry right now than to say that a studio is re-organizing itself away from retail game development and toward the new challenges of downloadable and mobile games. Everyone knows retail sales are down, publishers are hurting, independent developers are suffering, blah blah blah."

"With this in mind, Nihilistic is announcing today that (OMG!) we are re-organizing our company after 14 years of working with retail boxed game development, and re-forming as nStigate Games, a new company focused on downloadable, on-line, and mobile games."

The studio has also confirmed it is making the transition without any layoffs or debts. That said, it will become a "smaller and more focused company" as some talent heads towards other developers.

"The future for nStigate is yet to be written, but the history of Nihilistic is coming to a close. We thank all the people who have worked here over the last 14 years. It’s been a privilege and a joy to serve our players for the past years. We love what we do, and we love it when you guys like it. Thank you for playing."

Nihilistic's recent history hasn't been particularly good. Resistance: Burning Skies stunk up the Vita earlier this year, and an early impression of COD: Black Ops Declassified left VG247's Dave Cook feeling empty.

We wish Nihilistic all the best.

Thanks to forum member KrazyKraut for giving us the heads up.