Iron Galaxy

Iron Galaxy was founded by Dave Lang in 2008 as a work-for-hire support and technical consulting studio. Lang had worked for Midway Games for several years before using his contacts at Capcom to get work porting games like Bionic Commando and Dark Void.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2010-08-17 |title=Iron Galaxy Studios deal |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/iron-galaxy-studios-deal-flashman-handling-all-of-the-business-y-stuff-for-iron-galaxy |access-date=2025-02-09 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |language=en}}

Lang eventually was able to gain the trust of Capcom and Iron Galaxy developed Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike Online Edition, released in 2011. Capcom also hired Iron Galaxy to port Marvel vs Capcom Origins and DarkStalkers Resurrection.{{Cite web |last=Migliacio |first=Michael |date=2014-04-25 |title=Fight On: Iron Galaxy Studios' Journey to the Top of the Tier List |url=https://www.vg247.com/fight-on-iron-galaxy-studios-journey-to-the-top-of-the-tier-list |access-date=2025-02-09 |website=VG247 |language=en}}

In 2011, Microsoft approached Iron Galaxy to pitch an original game for the Kinect. The company developed a concept where the player uses motion controls to destroy castles, similar to Angry Birds. Iron Galaxy released Wreckateer, its first original property, in July 2012.{{Cite web |last=RedEye |date=2012-07-27 |title=Chicago's Iron Galaxy Studios debuts 1st original game, 'Wreckateer' |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2012/07/27/chicagos-iron-galaxy-studios-debuts-1st-original-game-wreckateer-3/ |access-date=2025-02-07 |website=Chicago Tribune |language=en-US}}

In 2013, Iron Galaxy teamed up with One True Game Studios to release the parody fighting game Divekick on PlayStation 3, Vita, and Windows.{{Cite web |last=Fletcher |first=JC |date=2013-01-22 |title=Minimalist fighter Divekick connects with PS3, PC, Vita this spring |url=https://www.engadget.com/2013-01-22-minimalist-fighter-divekick-dives-kicks-ps3-pc-vita-this-spri.html |access-date=2025-02-07 |website=Engadget |language=en-US}} A second studio in Orlando was opened to assist with development.{{Cite web |date=2019-07-17 |title=Iron Galaxy Studios |url=https://www.igdachicago.com/featured-devs/iron-galaxy-studios |access-date=2025-02-07 |website=IGDA Chicago |language=en-US}} An updated version of the game, called Divekick: Addition Edition, launched on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.{{Cite web |last=Walker |first=Ian |date=February 12, 2014 |title=[UPDATE] Iron Galaxy Studios Announces Divekick Addition Edition; Balance Changes Revealed, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One Versions Confirmed |url=http://shoryuken.com/2014/02/12/iron-galaxy-studios-discussing-major-divekick-update-during-esports-hour-stream-later-today/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150209142304/http://shoryuken.com/2014/02/12/iron-galaxy-studios-discussing-major-divekick-update-during-esports-hour-stream-later-today/ |archive-date=February 9, 2015 |access-date=2025-02-07 |website=Shoryuken.com}}

Iron Galaxy worked on the Windows port of Batman: Arkham Origins. Upon release in 2013, the PC version suffered from numerous bugs and performance issues.{{Cite web |last=Walton |first=Mark |date=2015-06-25 |title=Batman: Arkham Knight for PC pulled from Steam and retailers due to bugs |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2015/06/batman-arkham-knight-for-pc-pulled-from-steam-and-retailers-due-to-bugs/ |access-date=2025-02-09 |website=Ars Technica |language=en-US}} After some initial fixes were released, Warner Bros. Games announced in February 2014 that it would not be addressing many of the game's lingering problems.{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Katie |date=2014-02-10 |title=WB Games Has No Plans to Fix Batman: Arkham Origins Glitches |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2014/02/10/wb-games-has-no-plans-to-fix-numerous-glitches |access-date=2025-02-09 |website=IGN |language=en}}

In 2015, Iron Galaxy returned to work on the PC port for Batman: Arkham Knight. However, this version of the game was plagued by serious performance issues. Just days after release, WB pulled the game from sale.{{Cite web |last=Plunkett |first=Luke |date=2015-06-25 |title=Warner Bros Suspends Arkham Knight PC Sales |url=https://kotaku.com/warner-bros-says-theyre-suspending-arkham-knight-pc-sal-1713780990 |access-date=2025-02-09 |website=Kotaku |language=en}} Reports indicated that Warner Bros. knew the bad state of the game and chose to ship it anyway. Rocksteady, developer of the console versions, worked to fix the PC port's issues.{{Cite web |last=Klepek |first=Patrick |date=2015-07-01 |title=Sources: Warner Bros. Knew That Arkham Knight PC Was A Mess For Months |url=https://kotaku.com/sources-warner-bros-knew-that-arkham-knight-pc-was-a-1714915219 |access-date=2025-02-09 |website=Kotaku |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Garcia |first=Edwin |date=June 26, 2015 |title=Rocksteady is Helping Iron Galaxy Fix BATMAN: ARKHAM KNIGHT PC Version |url=https://archive.nerdist.com/rocksteady-is-helping-iron-galaxy-fix-batman-arkham-knight-pc-version/ |access-date=2025-02-09 |website=Nerdist}} After four months, Arkham Knight was put back on sale in October.{{Cite web |last=Perez |first=Daniel |date=2015-10-28 |title=Batman: Arkham Knight rises on PC as Warner Bros. puts it back on sale |url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/91964/batman-arkham-knight-rises-on-pc-as-warner-bros-puts-it-back-on-sale |access-date=2025-02-09 |website=Shacknews |language=en}}

Iron Galaxy was initially in the running to work on the 2013 reboot of Killer Instinct. According to Lang, they made it to the final round but were ultimately passed over due to their commitment on Wreckateer.{{Cite web |last=Migliacio |first=Michael |date=2014-04-25 |title=Fight On: Iron Galaxy Studios' Journey to the Top of the Tier List |url=https://www.vg247.com/fight-on-iron-galaxy-studios-journey-to-the-top-of-the-tier-list |access-date=2025-02-09 |website=VG247 |language=en}} However, following Amazon's purchase of Double Helix Games in 2014, Microsoft hired Iron Galaxy as the new ongoing developer for Killer Instinct.{{Cite web |last=Sarkar |first=Samit |date=2014-03-27 |title=Killer Instinct gets a new developer, Fulgore title update arrives April 9 |url=https://www.polygon.com/2014/3/27/5551116/killer-instinct-new-developer-iron-galaxy-fulgore-release-date-xbox-one |access-date=2025-02-07 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Campbell |first=Evan |date=2014-03-27 |title=Divekick Team Taking Over Killer Instinct |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2014/03/27/divekick-team-taking-over-killer-instinct |access-date=2025-02-07 |website=IGN |language=en}}

Under Iron Galaxy, season 2 was released in October 2014{{Cite web |last=Campbell |first=Evan |date=2014-08-12 |title=Killer Instinct: Season 2 Release Date Revealed |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2014/08/12/killer-instinct-season-2-release-date-revealed |access-date=2025-02-07 |website=IGN |language=en}} and season 3 in March 2016.{{Cite web |last=Martin |first=Michael |date=2016-03-01 |title=Killer Instinct: Season 3 Release Date Revealed |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2016/03/01/killer-instinct-season-3-release-date-revealed |access-date=2025-02-07 |website=IGN |language=en}} A 10th anniversary update was also released in 2023 that added 4K support, updated balancing, and improved matchmaking.{{Cite web |last=Yang |first=George |date=August 7, 2023 |title=Killer Instinct Getting 10th Anniversary Update With 4K Support, Better Matchmaking, And More |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/killer-instinct-getting-10th-anniversary-update-with-4k-support-better-matchmaking-and-more/1100-6516627/ |access-date=2025-02-07 |website=GameSpot |language=en-US}}

In January 2015, Gearbox announced the Borderlands Handsome Collection, which brought Borderlands 2 and Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel to PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. Iron Galaxy was one of the developers that handled the port. Iron Galaxy also handled the PlayStation Vita port of Borderlands 2.{{Cite web |last=Clauson |first=Jonathan R. |date=2015-01-20 |title='The Handsome Collection' Of 'Borderlands 2′ and "The Pre-Sequel' Is Coming To PS4 And Xbox One |url=https://www.inquisitr.com/the-handsome-collection-of-borderlands-2-and-the-pre-sequel-is-coming-to-ps4-and-xbox-one |access-date=2025-02-08 |website=Inquisitr |language=en-US}}

In 2015, Iron Galaxy also expanded into publishing under its own label. It released Capsule Force in 2015 and Tim Roger's Videoball in 2016.{{Cite web |last=Malone |first=Jay |date=2015-03-08 |title=Hands-on with the Iron Galaxy trio -- Videoball, Capsule Force, and Gunsport — GAMINGTREND |url=https://gamingtrend.com/feature/previews/hands-on-with-the-iron-galaxy-trio-videoball-capsule-force-and-gunsport/ |access-date=2025-02-07 |website=gamingtrend.com |language=en-US}} However, the initiative ultimately failed and a third game, Gunsport, took several more years to complete.{{Cite web |last=Klepek |first=Patrick |date=2020-09-03 |title=Most Games Don't Take Seven Years to Finish. Here's Why 'Gunsport' Did. |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/most-games-dont-take-seven-years-to-finish-heres-why-gunsport-did/ |access-date=2025-02-07 |website=VICE |language=en-US}}

In July 2016, Adam Boyes became CEO of Iron Galaxy, replacing co-founder Dave Lang, who remained on to oversee prototypes and business development. The company had 130 employees at the time.{{cite web |url=https://venturebeat.com/2016/07/26/former-sony-exec-adam-boyes-joins-indie-dev-iron-galaxy-as-ceo/ |title=Former Sony exec Adam Boyes joins indie dev Iron Galaxy as CEO |last=Takahashi |first=Dean |date=July 26, 2016 |website=VentureBeat |access-date=August 8, 2016}}

In June 2017, Iron Galaxy announced Extinction, its first full-priced game, published by Maximum Games.{{Cite web |last=Matulef |first=Jeffrey |date=2017-06-01 |title=Iron Galaxy's latest action game Extinction resembles Attack on Titan |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/iron-galaxys-latest-action-game-extinction-resembles-attack-on-titan |access-date=2025-02-09 |website=Eurogamer.net |language=en}} The game was released for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One on April 10, 2018.{{Cite web |last=Hood |first=Vic |date=2018-01-31 |title=Pining for Monster Hunter and Shadow of the Colossus? Extinction now has a release date |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/extinction/extinction-release-date-april |access-date=2025-02-09 |website=PCGamesN |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Wilson |first=Tony |date=April 10, 2018 |title=Top New Games Out This Week On Switch, PS4, Xbox One, And PC -- April 8-14 |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/top-new-games-out-this-week-on-switch-ps4-xbox-one/1100-6457901/ |access-date=2025-02-09 |website=GameSpot |language=en-US}} Chelsea Blasko was elevated to Co-CEO in October 2020.{{cite web |url=https://irongalaxystudios.com/our-galaxy/our-expanded-leadership-team |title=FPRESS RELEASE: OUR EXPANDED LEADERSHIP TEAM |last=Carbone |first=Tom |date=November 17, 2020 |website=Iron Galaxy |access-date=August 16, 2023 |archive-date=August 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230816192819/https://irongalaxystudios.com/our-galaxy/our-expanded-leadership-team |url-status=dead }}

Following the release of the Nintendo Switch, Iron Galaxy managed to find a niche for porting high-profile titles to the console. The studio worked with Bethesda to port The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim in 2017.{{Cite web |last=Saed |first=Sherif |date=2018-03-06 |title=Killer Instinct and Skyrim Switch port dev Iron Galaxy wants to port Monster Hunter World to Nintendo Switch |url=https://www.vg247.com/killer-instinct-and-skyrim-switch-port-dev-iron-galaxy-wants-to-port-monster-hunter-world-to-nintendo-switch |access-date=2025-02-11 |website=VG247 |language=en}} In 2018, it worked with Blizzard to release Diablo III on the Switch. The port took just nine months to develop{{Cite web |last=Grayson |first=Nathan |date=2018-08-16 |title=The Diablo III Switch Port Took Nine Months |url=https://kotaku.com/the-diablo-iii-switch-port-took-nine-months-1828400479 |access-date=2025-02-11 |website=Kotaku |language=en}} and received positive reviews from critics.{{Cite news |last=Morgan |first=Thomas |date=2018-11-09 |title=Diablo 3 on Switch - better than last-gen and a brilliant conversion |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/digitalfoundry-2018-11-09-diablo-3-on-switch-better-than-last-gen-and-a-brilliant-conversion |access-date=2025-02-11 |work=Eurogamer.net |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Graeber |first=Brendan |date=2018-08-20 |title=Gamescom 2018: Diablo 3 on the Switch Feels Right At Home |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2018/08/20/gamescom-2018-diablo-3-on-the-switch-feels-right-at-home |access-date=2025-02-11 |website=IGN |language=en}}

After that, Iron Galaxy worked on the 2019 ports of Dauntless and Overwatch{{Cite web |last=Franzese |first=Tomas |date=2019-10-01 |title=Overwatch for Nintendo Switch Was Developed in a Year with Iron Galaxy |url=https://www.dualshockers.com/overwatch-nintendo-switch-one-year-development/ |access-date=2025-02-11 |website=DualShockers |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Compendio |first=Chris |date=2019-07-15 |title=Dauntless on Nintendo Switch Feels on Par with Other Console Versions, Despite Visual Downgrades |url=https://www.dualshockers.com/dauntless-switch-e3-2019-preview/ |access-date=2025-02-11 |website=DualShockers |language=en}} and the Apex Legends conversion in 2021. It was also one of the support studios that helped Retro Studios on the 2023 Metroid Prime Remastered.{{Cite web |last=Ronaghan |first=Neal |date=February 9, 2023 |title=Iron Galaxy Studios Assisted with Metroid Prime Remastered Development - News |url=https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/62825/iron-galaxy-studios-assisted-with-metroid-prime-remastered-development |access-date=2025-02-11 |website=Nintendo World Report}}

In December 2021, the company unveiled Rumbleverse, a wrestling-themed, free-to-play battle royale game. Epic Games would be serving as publisher with a February 2022 release. Iron Galaxy pitched the game in 2017 and took three years to fully develop it. By this point, the company had 230 employees with 80 people working on Rumbleverse.{{Cite web |last=Takahashi |first=Dean |date=2021-12-10 |title=Iron Galaxy teams with Epic Games to create Rumbleverse brawler royale |url=https://venturebeat.com/games/iron-galaxy-teams-with-epic-games-to-create-rumbleverse-brawler-royale/ |access-date=2025-02-09 |website=VentureBeat |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Saltzman |first=Mitchell |date=2021-12-10 |title=Rumbleverse Preview |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/rumbleverse-preview |access-date=2025-02-09 |website=IGN |language=en}} However, by January 2022, the game was delayed indefinitely, though playtests continued.{{Cite web |last=Good |first=Owen S. |date=2022-01-27 |title=Rumbleverse delayed indefinitely, but a new beta test is on tap |url=https://www.polygon.com/22904644/rumbleverse-delayed-release-dates-iron-galaxy-epic-games-store |access-date=2025-02-09 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}}

It wasn't until July that the game received a new release date.{{Cite web |last=Young |first=Rory |date=2022-07-14 |title=Pro Wrestling Battle Royale Game Rumbleverse Gets Release Date |url=https://gamerant.com/rumbleverse-release-date/ |access-date=2025-02-09 |website=Game Rant |language=en}} Rumbleverse was released in August 2022,{{Cite web |last=Young |first=Rory |date=2022-07-14 |title=Pro Wrestling Battle Royale Game Rumbleverse Gets Release Date |url=https://gamerant.com/rumbleverse-release-date/ |access-date=2025-02-09 |website=Game Rant |language=en}} but never saw the success it needed to survive. By January 2023, Iron Galaxy announced the game would shut down the following month—six months after launch. Those who paid for in-game currency or the Battle Pass would be eligible for a refund. A version for the Nintendo Switch was in the works at the time.{{Cite web |last=Good |first=Owen S. |date=2023-01-31 |title=Rumbleverse, the battle royale brawler, is shutting down |url=https://www.polygon.com/23577658/rumbleverse-shutdown-battle-royale-epic-games |access-date=2025-02-09 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}} Despite some initial hype, the game ultimately suffered due to competition from similar games, limited multiplayer modes, its exclusivity to the Epic Games Store, and a lack of interest from the streaming community. In the end, the game couldn't generate the revenue it needed to stay afloat.{{Cite web |last=Ferguson |first=Liam |date=2023-02-03 |title=Rumbleverse's Shutdown Feels Sudden, But The Writing Was On The Wall |url=https://gamerant.com/rumbleverse-shutdown-february-sudden-inevitable-fortnite-multiversus/ |access-date=2025-02-09 |website=Game Rant |language=en}}

Despite the high-profile failure of Rumbleverse, Iron Galaxy was able to avoid layoffs by reassigning developers and reconnecting with work-for-hire clients, like Naughty Dog. It handled the PC port for the Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves collection in 2022.{{Cite web |last=Young |first=Rory |date=2022-09-15 |title=Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection Confirms PC Release Date and Features |url=https://gamerant.com/uncharted-legacy-of-thieves-pc-release-date-features/ |access-date=2025-02-10 |website=Game Rant |language=en}} Iron Galaxy then worked on the 2023 PC port of The Last of Us Part 1.{{Cite web |last=Murray |first=Sean |date=2023-03-13 |title=The Last Of Us Part 1's PC Port Has Naughty Dog Teaming Up With Another Dev |url=https://www.thegamer.com/the-last-of-us-part-1s-pc-port-naughty-dog-iron-galaxy/ |access-date=2025-02-10 |website=TheGamer |language=en}} Initially expected to release on March 3, it was delayed three weeks until March 23.{{Cite web |last=Yang |first=George |date=2023-02-03 |title=The Last of Us Part 1's PC Port Delayed 3 Weeks |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/the-last-of-us-part-1s-pc-port-delayed-3-weeks |access-date=2025-02-10 |website=IGN |language=en}} The game proved to be in rough shape upon release.{{Cite web |last=Kaur |first=Tessa |date=2023-03-29 |title=The Last of Us Part 1's PC Port Is Unplayable – Maybe We Should Have Seen This Coming |url=https://www.thegamer.com/the-last-of-us-part-1-pc-port-unplayable-iron-galaxy-expected/ |access-date=2025-02-10 |website=TheGamer |language=en}} Iron Galaxy will return to work on the port of The Last of Us Part II.{{Cite web |last=Dornbush |first=Jonathon |date=2024-12-12 |title=The Last of Us Part II Remastered comes to PC April 3, 2025 |url=https://blog.playstation.com/2024/12/12/the-last-of-us-part-ii-remastered-comes-to-pc-april-3-2025/ |access-date=2025-02-10 |website=PlayStation.Blog |language=en-US}}

In 2022, Iron Galaxy opened a new studio in Nashville, Tennessee.{{Cite web |last=Paulson |first=Dave |title=Video game developer Iron Galaxy to open Nashville studio |url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/2022/02/23/video-game-developer-iron-galaxy-open-nashville-studio/6913017001/ |access-date=2025-02-07 |website=The Tennessean |language=en-US}} By April 2024, it moved to a bigger space.{{Cite web |last=Wozniak |first=Jessica |date=2024-04-15 |title=Iron Galaxy Studios, LLC commits to Nashville with 25,000 SF lease at 333 Commerce |url=https://www.us.jll.com/en/newsroom/iron-galaxy-studios-llc-commits-to-nashville-with-25-000-sf-lease-at-333-commerce |access-date=2025-02-07 |website=www.us.jll.com |language=en-US}} Plans for a new studio in Austin were announced but later delayed following the Rumbleverse shutdown.{{Cite web |last=Totilo |first=Stephen |date=2023-11-27 |title=In a brutal year for game developers, how one studio made it through |url=https://www.axios.com/2023/11/27/iron-galaxy-rumbleverse-killer-instinct-chelsea-blasko |access-date=2025-02-07 |website=Axios |language=en}}

Boyes stepped down from his position as co-CEO in August 2024 and Blasko remained as the company's sole CEO.{{Cite web |last=McEvoy |first=Sophie |date=2024-08-16 |title=Adam Boyes steps down as co-CEO of Iron Galaxy |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/adam-boyes-steps-down-as-co-ceo-of-iron-galaxy |access-date=2025-02-09 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |language=en}} In February 2025, Iron Galaxy announced it would lay off 66 developers and support staff as a "means of last resort" for the company to stay afloat.{{Cite web |last=Carter |first=Justin |date=February 5, 2025 |title=Iron Galaxy lays off 66 developers in 'last resort' lifesaving effort |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/iron-galaxy-lays-off-66-developers-in-last-resort-lifesaving-effort |access-date=2025-02-10 |website=Game Developer |language=en}}

In March 2025, Iron Galaxy announced their next game, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4, a remake of the third and fourth games in the Tony Hawk's series.

{{Reflist}}

• {{Official website|http://irongalaxystudios.com/}}

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