Jar of Sparks pauses operations as leaders search for new publishing partner

Jar of Sparks, an indie developer spun up in 2022, is pausing development on its debut project as it searches for funding.

On LinkedIn, founder Jerry Hook explained current staff would be allowed to look for new opportunities during this process. "If you’re searching for exceptional professionals who are driven and think outside the box, please reach out," he wrote. "We’d be more than happy to connect you with some of the best developers I have had the pleasure of working beside."

Jar of Sparks was founded as a NetEase subsidiary, and Hook said in 2022 the studio intended to make "a new generation of narrative-driven action games." This marks one of the first developers to cease operations and cut staff in 2025.

Throughout 2022 and 2023, NetEase courted veterans from developers like Ubisoft, Riot Games, and Cryptic Studios to spin up their own teams. As of last year, the status of those other studios is unknown. By December, the tech giant was reportedly preparing to shut down Ouka Studios, which had released Visions of Mana in August.

Roadblocks for other new studios from veteran developers

Before 2024 ended, two other developers were in similar positions as Jar of Sparks. Worlds Unknown, a studio headed up by BioWare alum Mac Walters, also ceased operations to hunt for a new publishing partner. Similarly, Tales of Kenzera creator Surgent Studios paused activities and offered a public first look at its current project, 'Uso,' to lure prospective partners.

Of Jar's first game, Hook said the team "strived to create something truly new and exciting for the industry. We couldn’t be prouder of the groundwork we’ve laid together. [...] From the day we formed to this very moment, this team has accomplished remarkable feats—proving that a small, focused, and dedicated group can achieve great results. We thank each of them for their courage, skill, and friendship."

"Thank you to everyone who supported us throughout our journey here at Jar of Sparks," he concluded, "and we look forward to updating you all with our next step in our journey."