MercurySteam

MercurySteam, also known as Mercury Steam Entertainment, is a video game development studio based in San Sebastián de los Reyes, Spain. Founded by veterans of Rebel Act Studios and Konami, MercurySteam is best known for the Lords of Shadow games in the Castlevania series.
On December 22, 2020, it was announced that Nordisk Games in Copenhagen, Denmark had invested in MercurySteam and acquired 40% of the company. The announcement noted that MercurySteam is currently developing "several new titles". https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/nordisk-has-acquired-40-of-metroid-samus-returns-studio-mercurysteam/
On November 30, 2021, Digital Bros., the parent company of 505 Games announced they were collaborating with MercurySteam on an original third-person action RPG, Project Iron (working title), to be released on multiple platforms.Ivan, Tom. "Metroid Dread studio announces new 3rd person fantasy action RPG". Video Games Chronicle. November 30, 2021.
==Metroid games==
In 2015, it was reported that MercurySteam was actively interested in pitching a new Metroid game to Nintendo.http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2015/08/exclusive_mercurysteam_has_been_working_on_a_metroid_prototype_for_wii_u_and_3ds The pitch was unsuccessful, and a year after the story broke, MercurySteam vehemently denied they were working on such a game despite evidence to the contrary.
On June 13, 2017, Metroid: Samus Returns was announced as a co-effort between Nintendo and MercurySteam. The game's producer, Yoshio Sakamoto stated that he had heard MercurySteam was interested in developing a remake of Metroid Fusion, and reached out to them.http://ca.ign.com/articles/2017/06/14/e3-2017-metroid-samus-returns-hands-on-a-welcome-upgrade Samus Returns was built with MercurySteam's proprietary engine, the Mercury Engine.
On June 15, 2021, it was announced that MercurySteam was developing the long-awaited Metroid Dread for Nintendo Switch. It released on October 8, 2021.MercurySteam (mercurysteam). "The day has come! The new Samus Aran adventure, Metroid Dread for Nintendo Switch is finally here! We are excited to share with the world what we have been cooking, taking part in development with Nintendo! The best part is that you can enjoy it this October! With all our love." 15 June 2021 1:29 p.m. Tweet. https://twitter.com/mercurysteam/status/1404853476492984320
==Controversy==
After the release of Metroid Dread, it was revealed that MercurySteam has a policy of not crediting developers who are not part of 25% of a game's development. In the case of Dread, which took four years to create, this meant staff had to work there for at least a year to receive credit. Multiple developers who worked on Dread for less than a year discovered they had been left out of the credits, and expressed disappointment. They claimed to have been unaware of this policy before they were affected by it.Roberto Mejías. "I would like to sincerely congratulate the Metroid Dread team for putting out such an outstanding game. I'm not surprised of the quality of the game though, since the amount of talent on that team was through the roof. I know this first hand because, despite not being included on the game's credits, I was part of that team for for eight months. ¶ While playing the game, I've recognized quite a few assets and environments I worked on... so my work is there. ¶ Then, I would like to ask MercurySteam: Why do I not appear on the game's credits? Is it some kind of mistake? ¶ I would really appreciate having some answer to this. Thank you in advance. Again: CONGRATS, TEAM!" LinkedIn. October 11, 2021. Archived from the original on October 15, 2021. Retrieved September 5, 2022. MercurySteam received criticism from fans who felt this practice was unfair.Darren. "We spoke to MercurySteam on developer credit in Metroid Dread". Shinesparkers. October 15, 2021. Retrieved September 5, 2022. https://shinesparkers.net/we-spoke-to-mercurysteam-on-developer-credit-in-metroid-dread/
Additionally, reports emerged in the Spanish press of former employees alleging dysfunctional management at MercurySteam during production of Dread. This included "overscope", wherein their planned bosses and cinematics for Dread (120) far exceeded their original scope. Nintendo necessitated two cuts between May and June 2019, and April and July 2020 to address the resulting bottleneck in the game's art pipeline. This meant that the development team would not have to crunch.
Other employees alleged that managers would give contradicting instructions, mistreatment of staff and contractors through salary negotiations, management distrusting junior staff, and employees not being permitted to work remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic. Punishments could include isolating the worker, transferring them to another team, or termination.Matas, Fran G. "Former MercurySteam employees who worked on Metroid Dread are not credited". Vandal. October 14, 2021. Retrieved September 5, 2022. (translated from Spanish) Some developers who were to be transferred to another team also had their salaries decreased, and were alienated if they attempted to renegotiate.
In July 2023, Enric Álvarez denied rumors of turbulence in the production of Dread, pointing to its commercial success and Game Award as evidence that the game had a smooth development process.Caballero, David. MercurySteam, on the end of Metroid Dread and 'that' Samus: "We were hungry and Nintendo was open". Game Reactor. July 28, 2023. Retrieved August 3, 2023. https://www.gamereactor.es/mercurysteam-sobre-el-final-de-metroid-dread-y-esa-samus-teniamos-hambre-y-en-nintendo-estaban-abiertos-998873/ (Spanish)
==Gallery==
File:MercurySteam website.png|MercurySteam website in June 2017.
File:MercurySteam Gamma Metroid cake.jpg|Alpha Metroid and Samus cake created by Digital Development Management for MercurySteam to celebrate the release of Samus Returns.
File:MercurySteam and Metroid cupcakes.jpg|The team with Larva Metroid cupcakes.
File:Metroid Team (MSR at MercurySteam).png|Samus Returns development team.
MercurySteam Dread dev hoodies.png|Developers on Dread with personalized hoodies.Pablo Manresa Molina (PabloManresa). "Mercurystaff wearing #MetroidDread stuff...? Sure!" 25 November 2021 7:53 a.m. Tweet. https://mobile.twitter.com/PabloManresa/status/1463853292505681920
MercurySteam Dread developer group photo.jpg|Dread development team (with Samus Aran and E.M.M.I.-02SM).David Bolaños Gallardo (dbsoundd). Instagram. October 8, 2021. Retrieved February 26, 2022. https://www.instagram.com/p/CUxWQf-KxYS/
MercurySteam Dread developer group photo (without characters).jpg|Alternate version without the characters.darin♡ (dariiin_art). "It has been a pleasure to be part of this great project and to work with this team. This experience could not be more exciting!! ¶ Enjoy the game!🤍" Instagram. October 10, 2021. Retrieved February 26, 2022. https://www.instagram.com/p/CU19e5BI2Vs/
==External links==
*Website
*Twitter
==References==
Category:Companies