Jar of Sparks Halts Operations to Seek New Publishing Partnership
Image by courtesy of Jar of Sparks/NetEase.
Jar of Sparks, an independent studio established in 2022, is halting development on its inaugural project while it seeks financial backing.
On LinkedIn, founder Jerry Hook indicated that most original team members could begin exploring new opportunities during this time. “If you’re on the lookout for exceptional talent who are motivated and think creatively, please get in touch,” he wrote. “We’d be eager to connect you with some of the finest developers I have had the pleasure of collaborating with.”
Jar of Sparks was established as a subsidiary of NetEase, and Hook revealed in 2022 that the studio aimed to create “a new generation of narrative-driven action games.” This represents one of the first major studios to halt operations and downsize in 2025.
Throughout 2022 and 2023, NetEase attracted industry veterans from studios like Ubisoft, Rebellion Games, and Cryptic Studios to expand their own teams. As of last year, the current status of these studios remains unclear. By December, the tech giant was reportedly planning to shut down Ouka Studios, which had released Visions of Mana in August.
Challenges for other emerging studios from experienced developers
Before the end of 2024, two other studios found themselves in similar situations as Jar of Sparks. Worlds Untold, a studio led by BioWare veteran Mac Walters, also ceased operations in search of a new publishing partner. Similarly, Tales of Kenzera developer Surgent Studios halted its activities and provided a public sneak peek of its latest project, ‘Uso,‘ to attract potential partners.
Regarding Jar’s initial game, Hook stated that the team “strived to produce something genuinely innovative and exciting for the industry. We couldn’t be prouder of the foundation we’ve built together. […] From the inception of our studio to this moment, this team has achieved remarkable accomplishments—demonstrating that a small, focused, and devoted group can reach significant outcomes. We are grateful to every one of them for their bravery, expertise, and camaraderie.”
“Thank you to everyone who has supported us throughout our journey at Jar of Sparks,” he concluded, “and we look forward to sharing our next steps with you all.”
About the Author
Contributing Editor, GameDeveloper.com
A native of Kansas City, MO, Justin Carter has contributed to numerous websites including IGN, Polygon, and SyFy Wire. In addition to Game Developer, his writing can also be found at io9 on Gizmodo. Don’t ask him about how much gum he’s chewed, as the answer is likely more than he’s willing to admit.