Studio Camelia Closes Its Doors One Year After Raising €300,000 via Kickstarter for Its JRPG Project

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French independent developer Studio Camelia closed its doors one year after raising just under €300,000 ($347,000) on Kickstarter for its turn-based JRPG title Alzara Radiant Echoes. On June 17, 2025, the studio informed backers that it could not secure additional funding to complete the game, citing the current crisis in the video game industry as the reason. Furthermore, backers will not receive a refund.

Studio Camelia was founded by JRPG fans in May 2022, and Alzara Radiant Echoes was intended to be a 3D turn-based RPG similar to Golden Sun and Final Fantasy X. Set in a Mediterranean-inspired fantasy archipelago, it promised dynamic combat with hero swapping and elemental magic combinations, focusing on themes of community and unity. Led by industry veterans who worked on titles like Ghost Recon and Dead Cells, the studio financed half of the project through personal savings, bank loans, and Microsoft’s Developer Acceleration program.

To cover the remaining costs, Studio Camelia launched a Kickstarter campaign in 2024, hoping to raise €100,000. It raised €294,428 and was supported by 5,089 people, becoming one of the best-funded projects that year. The funds helped create a new demo version, which was showcased at the Tokyo Game Show and DICE, to attract partners. Despite a playable demo, an experienced team, and strong fan support, no publishing deal was secured.

“We are creators, but we need funding to continue creating. Sometimes, even a promising game concept with proven market interest and a strong team is not enough,” the studio noted. Additionally, they expressed regret that neither they nor Kickstarter can refund the backers, including those who paid up to €800 for premium rewards, which surely left fans disappointed due to unclear communication about the campaign’s goals.