Human Element developer Robotoki shutters its doors

Eurogamer reports that L.A.-based indie studio Robotoki plans to shut down and place all development on hiatus due to lack of funds.

"This week we are ceasing operations at the studio and putting all development on hiatus," Bowling told Gamasutra in an email. "We were actively negotiating a publishing deal for the premium version of Human Element and was self-funding the studio until that deal closes. Unfortunately though we do not have enough runway to keep the studio open until a deal finalizes."

Bowling estimated that Human Element (pictured) needed another ten months of development, and noted that Robotoki (which maintained a staff of 50 people at the time of its closure) is open to the possibility of an outside party acquiring the rights to Human Element and other unannounced projects.

Bowling founded Robotoki in 2012 after resigning from his position at Infinity Ward as creative strategist for the Call of Duty franchise. Nexon made a strategic investment in the studio in 2013, then agreed to publish Human Element in 2014.

When Robotoki decided to switch gears late last year and develop Human Element as a premium product rather than a free-to-play game, it agreed to end its publishing agreement with Nexon and laid off a portion of its staff.