It’s always a sad day when people lose their job, and it is very unforgiving in the video game industry. Vermilia Studios has recently laid off all of its employees. This is the studio behind the game CRISOL: Theater of Idols. It’s sort of like a horror FPS with some nice visuals. The game itself has some good reviews, but the sales aren’t backing it up, so that’s why everyone got laid off.
What happened that made everyone get fired?
In July 2026, Vermilia Studios reportedly dismissed its entire staff of around 19 employees because of serious financial problems. The main reason was money. According to CEO David Carrasco, Vermilia Studios could no longer afford to keep paying its employees. The studio had financial difficulties despite successfully finishing and releasing Crisol: Theater of Idols. Carrasco said the company would try to survive without immediately shutting down, but admitted that closure was a real possibility.
CEO David Carrasco clarified that the company had not officially shut down at that point. The workforce was laid off, leaving only the founders to try to keep the studio alive and find a way forward. Maybe future sales of Crisol can lead to rehiring some of those employees, but for now, it’s looking very bleak.
Taking a look at Crisol: Theater of Idols
Let’s take a quick look at this game. It seems people like it, so why not dive into a quick summary of the game and what it has to offer?
Story and Overview
The player controls Gabriel, a soldier and assassin who is sent on a dangerous mission connected to the mysterious Sun God. As Gabriel explores Tormentosa, he encounters strange cults, blood sacrifices, and terrifying statues that have come to life.
The story gradually reveals that Tormentosa has a dark history buried beneath its traditions and religious beliefs. Gabriel must uncover the truth while questioning what is real and what may be part of a nightmare.
One of the most disturbing parts of the game’s story is its use of religious statues and idols as monsters. These figures, which normally represent faith and tradition, become dangerous living creatures. This creates much of the game’s horror atmosphere, as familiar religious imagery is transformed into something violent and frightening. The story focuses heavily on themes of faith, sacrifice, death, and religious fanaticism.
Gameplay
The game is played primarily from a first-person perspective and combines shooting with survival horror. Players explore dark environments, encounter hostile creatures, and fight their way through dangerous areas.
The combat is designed to feel tense because health and ammunition are closely connected. Unlike traditional shooters where players can simply collect large amounts of ammunition, Crisol forces players to think carefully about every fight.
The most unique gameplay mechanic in Crisol is that Gabriel uses his own blood as ammunition. Instead of simply finding bullets and shooting enemies without consequences, every shot can cost Gabriel part of his life. This means combat is a constant risk. Players have to decide whether an enemy is worth fighting because using too much blood can leave Gabriel dangerously weak or even cause his death.