We at NerdLeaks are following a developing story that Vermila Studios, the Madrid-based developer behind Crisol: Theater of Idols, has shut down, according to VGC.
What Was Reported
Per VGC, reports began circulating earlier this week that Vermila Studios was conducting layoffs, and staff have taken to social media to confirm the situation. Some employees have stated that the entire studio is closing down.
Game designer Raúl Pernía Alejandro reportedly wrote a thread on X outlining the situation (via machine translation). In the thread he said: “A few months ago, I shared with tremendous excitement the announcement of Crisol: Theater of Idols. Today, I wanted to provide a bit of context for everyone who followed the project and supported us from day one on Vermila.”
According to the translation shared by VGC, Raúl added that “A few months after the launch, Vermila Studios has initiated a redundancy procedure that has ultimately led to the studio's closure and the departure of the entire team. It's very tough news for those of us who have dedicated so much effort and love to this project.” He also wrote that he was proud of the work done on Crisol and thankful to the community for supporting the game.
Crisol: Theater of Idols was introduced at Summer Game Fest 2024 as one of six titles set to be published by horror film production company Blumhouse under its Blumhouse Games label. The game asks players to make their way through Hispania, a “nightmarish reimagining” of Spain, working on a divine mission from the Sun God and battling animated statues of saints.
One of the title's most-discussed mechanics is the use of protagonist Gabriel’s own blood as ammunition: the player’s health bar and ammo counter reportedly draw from the same resource, forcing careful shot selection while scavenging syringes of blood and dead creatures to replenish both health and firepower. The game was released in February 2026 on PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC, and was generally well received with a Metacritic score of 74, VGC reports.
The Source & Credibility
VGC is the outlet reporting these staff confirmations and the translated social media thread. The shutdown claim comes via employees’ posts on social platforms and the thread by Raúl Pernía Alejandro, which VGC relayed with a machine translation.
We should be clear: these developments are described as staff reports and social posts. We’re treating the information with caution — the wording in some of the source posts includes phrases like “initiated a redundancy procedure” and “closure and the departure of the entire team,” which VGC reproduces from the translated thread. Take this with a pinch of salt; the situation is being reported by employees on social media and summarised by VGC rather than presented as a formal announcement from the studio itself.
What It Could Mean
If true, the closure of Vermila Studios could mark an abrupt end to a studio that saw its debut title delivered to players and broadly appreciated by critics. The contrast is striking: Crisol reached release and earned a Metacritic score in the 70s, yet staff say the business could not continue, per VGC.
There are a few immediate unknowns. VGC’s report and the quoted thread indicate the team has departed, but the future of any live support, updates, or additional content for Crisol is not covered in those posts. Similarly, the role of publisher Blumhouse in any next steps is not detailed in the source material. All of that remains unclear and should be considered unresolved for now.
We’re cautious about leaping to conclusions: staff posts give us an on-the-ground perspective, but they don’t replace formal statements or documented filings. Still, if the redundancy procedure and closure described in the translated thread are accurate, then the entire studio appears to have been affected.
Why This Matters
This matters for several reasons. First, it’s a reminder that even when a game reaches players and earns a respectable critical reception — Crisol: Theater of Idols scored 74 on Metacritic, per VGC — that doesn’t guarantee a studio’s long-term survival, according to the employee accounts now circulating. Second, the reported closure would directly affect the people who worked on the game: Raúl’s thread frames the news as “very tough” for those who invested time and passion in the project.
Finally, the situation is a live story we’ll be tracking. For now, the claims are being carried by staff posts and by VGC’s coverage. We’ll continue to monitor developments and will update readers if further confirmations or official statements emerge. Until then, take this report with a pinch of salt — but also take a moment to recognise the work credited in the posts: a game that reached players and built a community before its developer reportedly folded.
