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David Jaffe's Game Studio Is Shutting Down

Co-founder David Jaffe has confirmed that The Barlet Jones Supernatural Detective Agency is shutting down following a cancellation of the studio's latest project.

Kevin Tucker

March 1, 2018 3:20 PM

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Longtime gamers and fans of Sony PlayStation consoles likely know the name David Jaffe. The developer has worked on a number of top-tier game franchises, including both God of War and the Twisted Metal series of games. Jaffe's latest studio, The Bartlet Jones Supernatural Detective Agency, put out Drawn to Death last year, but unfortunately, the game was not as successful as the team had hoped. Now, less than a year after the game's release, the developer's next project has been canceled, and it appears The Bartlet Jones Supernatural Detective Agency is now shutting down.

According to a report from Games Industry, the studio co-founded by Jaffe announced a decision to let go the "vast majority" of its team after its upcoming project was cancelled. Jaffe announced the closure via Twitter, where he expressed interest in unloading some of the studio's many props, including memorabilia from games in the Twisted Metal universe.

Any So Cal gamers interested in owning some gaming history? Sadly we are shutting down our Bartlet Jones offices and there's some great props that we're trying to unload to folks who are into such things. Ex: Sweet Tooth's machete we used in TM2012 movies; Sweet Chick's mask,etc.

— David Jaffe (@davidscottjaffe) February 28, 2018

Elaborating in a subsequent message, Jaffe said he wouldn't mind donating some of the items to charities like Extra Life, but did have some concerns about shipping issues:

"Ideally it would go to a charity like Child's Play to auction off, but the time to set up shipping of such odd shaped and heavy items is something we just don't have time to take on," Jaffe said.

For how things stand now, it appears that the PlayStation 4 exclusive Drawn to Death will be the sole release from the short-lived Barlet Jones Supernatural Detective Agency. We haven't yet received word on where Jaffe or the studio's employees may go next.

Kevin Tucker

Guides Editor

Kevin Tucker is a core component of Shacknews' powerful guide development team. For questions, concerns, tips, or to share constructive criticism, he can be reached on Twitter @dukeofgnar or through e-mail at kevin.tucker@shacknews.com.