Axis, Scotland's premier VFX company, has ceased operations

Axis Studios, renowned for its animation and visual effects, has shut its doors, resulting in 162 job losses.

The Glasgow-based company, famous for the "backwards" Dead Island cinematic teaser, went into administration on July 15, halting all its projects.

Axis Studios contributed to major gaming franchises like Halo, Gears of War, League of Legends: Wild Rift, Magic: The Gathering, and Warframe.

Television work by Axis includes Doctor Who, Love, Death & Robots, and The Incredible Hulk.

Alistair McAlinden, head of Interpath Advisory in Scotland and joint administrator, commented on the closure:

"It is deeply regrettable to witness a Scottish creative business shut down. Axis has been a preferred studio for top production companies, delivering content for prominent names like the BBC, Netflix, and Blizzard Entertainment. The demand for animation and visual effects surged during COVID.

However, Axis recently faced a decrease in customer projects and rising labor costs, leading to significant cash flow issues. Despite the directors' efforts to explore other options, they ultimately had no choice but to appoint administrators."