Merge Games announced it was closing in September 2024, after Maximum Entertainment had already said it would unify its publishing labels under the Maximum name. In December, Maximum announced that it had sold interests in about 90 Merge catalog titles to Silver Lining Interactive—but said Smalland: Survive the Wilds remained with Maximum. The notice does not establish who now holds the rights to Alex Kidd in Miracle World DX.
What happened to Merge Games?
The closure announcement followed a broader corporate change. On February 15, 2024, Maximum Entertainment said its publishing labels, including Merge Games, would be unified under the Maximum Entertainment name as the group completed its integration. Maximum Entertainment’s February 2024 announcement described the move as a company-wide integration, not simply the closure of one independent studio.
On September 26, 2024, Merge Games said it was closing after 15 years. The post was later replaced with wording that the label had been integrated into Maximum Entertainment. GameDeveloper reported both the initial announcement and the subsequent change in wording. Its report also quoted former community manager Tom Griffith as saying that most staff had been laid off, with two retained to manage sales. That is Griffith’s account, not a headcount disclosure confirmed by Maximum.
Who acquired Merge Games’ catalog interests?
On December 23, 2024, Maximum Entertainment announced that it had completed a sale of Merge Games interests—including intellectual property rights to approximately 90 catalog titles—to Silver Lining Interactive, a company owned by Merge’s founders and family members. Maximum’s transaction announcement identifies both the buyer and several titles that it retained.
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minutePC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11#1 Best Overall
- Infinite replayability with 30 thrilling games.
- multiplayer mode with 18 games for up to four players.
- improve your skills and level up to become the King in the High scores.
- plenty of fun to explore in puzzle, action, sports, strategy and more.
- stunning hand-drawn graphics and animations
The sale did not give every game associated with Merge the same documented outcome. Maximum said the rights to Smalland: Survive the Wilds, Bramble: The Mountain King, Pixelshire, Morbid: The Lords of Ire, and Sunnyside remained with Maximum Entertainment. The announcement does not name Alex Kidd in Miracle World DX among the retained titles or individually identify its current rights holder.
What does the sale mean for Smalland and Alex Kidd?
| Game | Documented connection to Merge Games | What the December 2024 notice establishes |
|---|---|---|
| Smalland: Survive the Wilds | Associated with Merge Games; Maximum’s announcement identified it as a key title. | Maximum said its rights remained with Maximum Entertainment. |
| Alex Kidd in Miracle World DX | Nintendo Life listed it in Merge Games’ publishing and distribution portfolio. | Maximum’s notice describes a sale covering approximately 90 catalog titles but does not name this game. Its present rights holder is not established by that notice or the portfolio listing. |
Smalland: Survive the Wilds
Maximum’s January 31, 2024 announcement said Smalland would leave Early Access and launch version 1.0 on February 15, 2024, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. It also announced a physical PS5 edition. The release announcement records the planned launch and format; it does not establish current stock or ongoing update plans.
Rank #2
- Tons of games! Climb, run, jump, blast, Rocket, and even Dance your way through 30 games spread out across six fun-filled islands
- explore and collect! Earn stars by playing games to unlock new islands, and even more games
- island Hop with friends! Join up to three other players for friendly competitive or cooperative play with just one console and one copy of the game
- claim the Crown! Discover trophies and climb atop the leaderboards to be crowned island ruler
- multiplayer requires one Compatible controller per player. Additional controllers (sold separately) may be required.
Alex Kidd in Miracle World DX
Nintendo Life’s listing associates Alex Kidd in Miracle World DX with Merge Games’ publishing and distribution portfolio. That association alone does not determine what happened to its rights in the later catalog transaction. Since Maximum’s notice does not identify the game by name, it would be inaccurate to state from these announcements that it went to Silver Lining Interactive—or that Maximum retained it.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Do the announcements say whether Smalland is still receiving updates?
No. The cited Maximum announcements establish the planned 2024 version 1.0 launch and say that rights to Smalland remained with Maximum after the catalog sale. They do not establish the game’s current support or update schedule. A rights statement is not itself a promise of continued development or a description of live operations.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteQuick Recap
Best Value
- Incredible 2D souls-lite action with more than 90 weapons and spells with nonlinear gameplay.
- Explore secret room, hidden passages, and charming landscapes. Stroll down towers and breath in that fresh sea mist infused air.
- Build your unique play style as you combat the adrenaline pumping threat of perm death in this unique game of the year!
Rank #3
- The console built in 168 classic nostalgia games, let you back to your childhood and enjoy family entertainment time.
- Easy to connect the game console with TV ( AV connector cable is included), enjoy the larger screen gaming experience.
- Handheld Game Console with 3 inches screen. 600mAh battery, each full charging enable you play up to 5~6 hours.
- Compact and lightweight handheld game console, mini body, carry it with you. On the way to work, free time, the best choice for relaxing mood.
- GREAT GIFT - This is a very suitable Birthday Christmas Holiday present for your kids, friends and anybody who love the old school games.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
