Nightdive CEO: changing acquired studios' identity leads to their doom

Nightdive Studios CEO Stephen Kick said at PAX West 2026 that publishers who alter the identity of acquired studios typically end up shutting them down years later, citing EA's closure of BioWare after 19 years. Atari, by contrast, leaves Nightdive, Digital Eclipse and Implicit Conversions to their own strengths.

• Kick cites EA shutting BioWare, Bullfrog, Westwood and Mythic after meddling
• Atari bought Nightdive, Digital Eclipse and Hipster Whale for $1M–$40M each
• Atari lets Nightdive keep its classic-game remaster business model
• Kick credits a retro-shooter ecosystem alongside modern titles like Ultrakill