In Brief
- ChronoForge Shutdown: Minted Loot Studios announces the closure of its multiplayer RPG ChronoForge by December 30, 2025, citing financial struggles and failed funding attempts.
- Financial Woes: Despite early access on the Epic Store and a user rating of 4.2, the game couldn’t generate sufficient revenue or attract investment to continue operations.
- Future Plans: Post-shutdown, the studio led by founder Dogberto has confirmed there will be no new projects, as focus shifts away from game development.
Minted Loot Studios has officially declared that its multiplayer online RPG, ChronoForge, will cease all operations on December 30, 2025. The announcement follows extensive financial challenges and unsuccessful attempts to secure additional funding.
Struggling to Stay Afloat
The game, which launched into Early Access on the Epic Store on September 10, received a favorable user rating of 4.2. However, it struggled commercially, failing to draw enough revenue or interest from publishers, investors, or acquirers to sustain its development. In response to these challenges, the studio had already reduced its workforce by 80% since January and had been funding the project with personal resources since July. Despite efforts to revitalize the game and even prepare for a token launch, adequate funding remained elusive.
Founder’s Insight
Dogberto, the CEO of both ChronoForge and Minted Loot Studios, shared an in-depth analysis of the situation on Discord. He highlighted 2025 as a particularly tough year for both traditional and blockchain-based gaming segments, indicating a broader downturn in market demand and funding access. The development team had been working unpaid, maintaining hope for financial rescue through discussions with various VC firms and blockchain networks. Unfortunately, even these discussions did not yield the necessary support, leading to the ultimate decision to shut down.
Game Overview and Unique Features
ChronoForge offered a blend of steampunk aesthetics and time-travel elements within its gameplay. It provided players with the ability to influence the game’s shared universe through decisions made within community-run Trading Companies. These groups managed airship hubs and could partake in crafting, voting, and raids, adding a layer of strategic community governance to the game. The use of NFTs and a planned $CHRONO token were integral to its web3 structure, though these too faced implementation challenges.
Technical and Funding Challenges
Initially supported by a modest budget of around $2 million and in collaboration with a Malaysian co-developer, the studio faced significant hurdles in game development. A substantial portion of the game’s systems required a complete overhaul, which not only exhausted financial resources but also delayed the project significantly. Efforts to launch the $CHRONO token were thwarted by technical setbacks, and the game’s inability to meet several planned milestones only compounded financial and operational woes.
A Broader Downturn
The closure of ChronoForge is reflective of larger trends within the blockchain gaming industry, which has seen many projects struggle or fold due to the broader ‘crypto winter’ and a shift in publisher and investor expectations. Against this backdrop, Minted Loot Studios was unable to secure the necessary funding to compete or pivot effectively.
Conclusion and Final Words
In his final statements, Dogberto expressed gratitude towards the community and the team, acknowledging the considerable emotional and financial toll taken by the project’s end. He confirmed that there would be no pivot to a new endeavor, instead opting to refocus on personal commitments outside of game development. He also extended an invitation to potential employers to consider the talented individuals from the ChronoForge team for future opportunities.
With the upcoming server shutdown on December 30, all in-game transactions and support will also be discontinued, marking the end of ChronoForge’s journey in the gaming landscape.
