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Lince Works designs and develops video games, primarily focusing on the stealth genre. The company's core offering is the Aragami series, which immerses players as supernatural assassins with shadow-manipulating abilities. Their approach emphasizes innovative light and shadow mechanics, crucial for strategic progression and evasion within the gameplay experience.
Founded in 2014 by former Universitat Pompeu Fabra game creation students David León and Alvaro Munoz, Lince Works emerged from the success of their student project, 'Path of Shadows'. This initial venture provided the insight into market potential for nuanced stealth experiences, inspiring the team to formalize efforts into a dedicated game development studio.
The company's products cater to a global audience of video game enthusiasts who appreciate tactical stealth action and rich narratives. Lince Works aims to craft memorable interactive worlds, challenging players to master intricate mechanics and delivering engaging storylines. Their vision centers on continually pushing the boundaries of stealth gameplay, providing immersive and strategic adventures.
Lince Works has raised $3.0M across 1 funding round.
Lince Works has raised $3.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Lince Works has raised $3.0M across 1 funding round. Most recently, it raised $3.0M Series U in March 2020.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 1, 2020 | $3M Series U | — | Game Seer Venture Partners | Announced |
Lince Works has raised $3.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Lince Works's investors include Game Seer Venture Partners.
# Lince Works: A Game Development Studio
Lince Works is a game development studio, not a technology company in the broader sense—it's a specialized creative studio focused on designing and publishing video games. The distinction matters: while games are built on technology, Lince Works operates as a creative entertainment business rather than a B2B or infrastructure technology firm.
Lince Works was a game development studio based in Barcelona that created third-person stealth games, most notably the *Aragami* series.[2][4] The studio aimed to deliver "interactive experiences through innovative and high-quality games."[3] However, the company's operational status changed significantly in 2023.
In March 2023, Lince Works announced it would cease development of new projects indefinitely, effective April 2023.[5] The studio cited difficult economic conditions and insufficient funding as the primary reasons for closure, despite making progress on new intellectual properties. The announcement stated: "The last couple of years have been particularly difficult as we shifted towards the development of new IPs and a new course for the company...the economic context was not favorable and we ran out of time."[5] Importantly, the studio committed to keeping *Aragami* and *Aragami 2* available across all platforms with online co-op functionality maintained.[5]
Lince Works was founded in 2014 and had operated for nine years before its closure announcement.[5][6] The studio was built around a core creative vision centered on stealth gameplay and ninja-themed narratives. Key co-founders included Álvaro Muñoz (Creative Director), David León (Game Director), and Eduard Soler (Animation Director).[1]
The studio's breakthrough came with the release of *Aragami* in 2016, a successful third-person stealth game that established the studio's reputation in the indie gaming space.[6] This early success positioned Lince Works as a notable player in the stealth game genre, building a loyal community around the franchise.
Lince Works exemplified the challenges facing independent game studios in the 2020s. While the indie game sector has grown significantly, funding volatility and competition from well-capitalized studios created pressure on smaller teams. The studio's closure reflects broader industry headwinds: rising development costs, shifting player preferences, and the difficulty of sustaining operations without major publisher backing or consistent funding.
The studio's commitment to keeping its games available post-closure demonstrates a player-first ethos increasingly valued in gaming communities, contrasting with practices where studios shut down online services or delist games entirely.
Lince Works' story is one of creative ambition constrained by economic realities. The studio produced quality games that earned critical recognition and player loyalty, yet couldn't secure the resources needed to evolve beyond its flagship franchise. While the studio itself is no longer developing new projects, its legacy persists through the *Aragami* series remaining accessible to players—a meaningful commitment in an industry where digital games often disappear when studios close.
The closure underscores a persistent challenge in game development: the gap between creative vision and financial sustainability for mid-sized independent studios without major backing.
