Hey Claudio, DAS,

Thank you for offering your help, guys! I really appreciate that.

It is a tough moment indeed, but I'm still positive about the future.
First of all, Joomla 5 will receive bug fixes until October 2026 and will receive security fixes until October 2027.
This means that we all have enough time to analyze the situation and see what will happen.

Second, there is a "light in the tunnel" for the Gantry 5 future!
There is a guy named Peter who is working on a new Gantry 5 version (that will support Joomla 5 natively, without the compatibility layer) and he might take care of the project in general (as much as his resources allow it, of course).
There is also Michael Koontz, who is part of the InspireTheme community, who is helping with anything he can! He has forked the Gantry 5 documentation and he is hosting it online. You can find it here for now.
I will also assist with what I can.

So stay calm and let's see what will happen.
Keeping Gantry 5 compatible with the new Joomla and PHP versions is quite possible, to say the least

Claudio,

Exactly. Back in the 1980s and 1990s I was a programmer. I don't want to get deep into any of that anymore, so when I started using Joomla and I saw all the extensions out there, I couldn't believe how great it was/is. But all the time I was saying, "This stuff is way too cheap. They can't stay in business like this." And that is what I think is coming true.

DAS

Hi again,

There’s one more aspect I feel is essential to mention, especially when we talk about sustainability—and this applies not only to Gantry but also to Joomla itself.

Even when a project is open source, which is a huge value in itself, the real question remains: how many people are actually contributing? How many have the time, skills, and dedication to open issues, test pull requests, or help resolve bugs?

In the past, I was actively involved in a Joomla template project on GitHub that had real value and a strong user base. However, when Joomla 3.x reached end-of-life, things changed. Eventually, momentum faded, and so did motivation.

And I’ll be honest: I’ve never personally tested a pull request on Joomla. So, I know firsthand how easy it is to rely on others’ work, even when we deeply care about a platform. That’s the hard truth of open source: if the community doesn’t step up, even the most promising projects risk dying out.

To give a more recent example of my involvement: beyond using InspireTheme's templates as they are, I often make extensive stylistic modifications. In some projects, my custom SCSS files have grown quite large, with hundreds of lines of personalized code to meet specific design needs. More recently, I'd even started to modularize my SCSS using @import, creating a more organized and scalable structure for my projects. This forum has been invaluable for my progress.

After so many years, I'd finally found the time and motivation to study how to build a Gantry template from scratch, truly feeling like I was moving from an "advanced user" to a "beginner developer." I’m saddened to realize I might have to put this on hold just as I was beginning.

Of course, doing things for passion is great, but if there’s a sustainable business model behind it, all the better. We can’t expect people to live off “gratitude.” Sustainable development needs real support, including financial backing.

I really appreciated your point, DAS — I also believe that more sustainable pricing could be key to keeping high-quality templates and extensions alive.

Best,
Claudio

Claudio, I really like your note here. Your thoughts mirror my own -- and I am a big believer in Joomla.

I hope that InspireTheme will consider picking up the ball here more. I'd like to see more templates as there were some ideas at RocketTheme that are fantastic and could be implemented here.

I'd also like to throw this out -- people self-identify as serious users willing to pay more. I believe that the developers of templates and extensions are frankly charging too little. This is why they're going out of business and also not incentivized to develop more. I, for one, am willing to pay more -- and I always do to developers when I purchase since I'll buy the most expensive subscription plans/options.

DAS

Hi Ivo,

I'm writing to you as a community member and InspireTheme user, with a mix of concern and hope regarding the future of this ecosystem.

The news of RocketTheme's closure has deeply shaken many of us. Their GitHub repository, now archived and read-only, seems to confirm the decision. Although signs of a slowdown in updates — particularly in responses on RocketTheme's forums (even though I'm not an active member there) — had been noticeable for some time, I confess that nothing led me to expect a full closure, especially of such a central project like Gantry.

Added to this is the concern over abandoned RocketTheme extensions such as RokGallery — a problem you brilliantly addressed by reintroducing your templates with your own particles, clearly demonstrating your commitment to supporting the community.

My main concern — and I believe that of thousands of professionals — is not just the production of individual themes, but the survival of an entire ecosystem. Thanks to the solid foundation provided by your InspireTheme templates, I was recently able to explore and study the structure of a theme of my own, after years of using them.

My direct experience with RocketTheme templates like Quasar and Afterburner dates back a long time. The real uncertainty now lies in the future compatibility of the Gantry framework itself. If no one takes over its development, there's a serious risk it will no longer be compatible with future versions of Joomla or PHP — putting years of professional work in jeopardy.

It's difficult to fully grasp the situation. On one hand, many developers are stepping away from Joomla-related projects, suggesting that the platform may be losing traction, or that past revenues are no longer sustainable. This trend seems to affect not only RocketTheme, but many other extension and component developers as well. It’s part of the natural evolution of the web, which forces every profession to adapt.

On the other hand, I follow Joomla's development plans with interest and see a clear and proactive direction — with improvements like the optimization and unification of core modules (category and article management being one simple example). This makes me feel that Joomla is still evolving and has meaningful potential.

In light of all this, I wanted to share my concern. You've already clarified that you'll offer support as long as it's viable. I recall reading — maybe in a forum thread, though I can't say for sure whether it was in response to a question I asked — that no new templates were planned. In hindsight, it makes me wonder: had you already sensed that something uncertain was happening with Gantry, or were you also caught in a complicated situation?

I'm glad to hear you considered the idea of taking over the project. I truly appreciate your honesty and transparency. I know such decisions involve immense effort and resources, and I fully understand how costs can become unsustainable.

That said, if InspireTheme ever needed support in other ways, I’d be more than willing to offer my help — certainly not as a developer, but perhaps in areas where I could still contribute meaningfully to the project or the community.

As for me, my situation isn’t as dramatic as it may be for those managing hundreds of Gantry-based sites, but I do maintain about ten high-quality projects. Many of the businesses I worked with have unfortunately closed over the years, and their websites are gone. The others are still online and, thankfully, all migrated to the latest Joomla 5.3.1. That includes the last two redesigns I did — originally built in Joomla 3 — which were migrated and reorganized without major issues. Those projects date back nearly nine years, or at least to when I first joined InspireTheme.

In the coming months, however, I’ll be redesigning another site, and that changes everything. What should I do? Move to another framework? Or even switch CMS, considering that WordPress’s strategy continues to prosper? But then again — the same fear remains: what if those developers close shop too?

I'm not a fan of WordPress and never will be. I've worked with it, but for me, it doesn't compare to Joomla — though others may disagree. Everyone has their preferences, but as a certified administrator with over 15 years of Joomla experience, I'd rather change professions than abandon it.

Ultimately, this will mean more work for us — converting sites made with Gantry to other solutions. But which ones, in a landscape where everything from design and development to SEO is evolving so rapidly?

Thank you for your time and for all the valuable work you've done so far.

Best regards,
Claudio

Hey guys,

Sorry for the late reply, I was traveling and had very limited internet access.

Anyway, the closing of Rockettheme is a very sad moment, indeed.
I still remember building my first Joomla websites with their templates...
And as you know, we've always been saying that Rockettheme is our big brother

That's being said, our whole business is built on the Gantry 5 framework.
I thought about the option to take the project over but we do not have the resources to do so.
I mean, we do not have deep enough PHP knowledge and we do not have the time that needs to be invested in such a project so it can keep up with the ever changing web landscape.

I definitely do not want to take advantage of the situation for some short term gains by giving promises that I cannot keep.
I have always tried to be loyal and honest with you guys.

That being said, I hope that Peter Szalatnay (or somebody else) will take the project over as it really has a big potential.

And to answer the question about Joomla 6 and InspireTheme future as a whole - guys, we will be here as long as the Gantry 5 framework is here.
If the Gantry 5 framework works on Joomla 6 our templates and particles will work as well.
So let's hope that Gantry 5 will overcome this difficult situation and will be here in the future as well...

I am the person who started this thread and the one thing I hope is that companies like Inspire Theme will take this as a business opportunity and pick up the ball. I really like the RocketTheme templates and Gantry framework. Most of my sites are built around them. I am not as much of a fan of InspireTheme's designs but I use one and it works well. That said, I think Inspire could really move forward with a lean operation perhaps and make it work -- and I am willing to support that by subscribing, etc. In fact, I always paid for RocketTheme's top accounts because I believe in that support. So let's see what the future will hold.

DAS

I have been worried for a while that RocketTheme would close down. All my client websites are built on Gantry 5, and 95% of them on Inspire Theme templates.

Last night, I got an email from RocketTheme that they are closing down. At first, I was in a panic, what will I do now? I have been upgrading many client websites to Joomla 5, which is a slow process, and now will I have to change frameworks!!!

I am hoping someone else will take up Gantry 5 and move it forward. I have my fingers crossed.

Regards
Lynda

Nadja Lamisch wrote:

Thanks. but I am not goog enough to take it over. I can only offer my support.
Regards
Nadja

I posted that, not specifically for you, but for everyone to know they are looking for volunteers. Maybe Ivo, along with other folks like Joomlead will step up and work on the project as a community to keep it going. I don't have any programming experience or I'd offer my help too.

kind regards,
Michael

Thanks. but I am not goog enough to take it over. I can only offer my support.
Regards
Nadja

On the official FB Rocket Theme page, Andy has posted in the comments that they are looking for a volunteer to take it over.
https://www.facebook.com/rockettheme

I want to stepin here too.
I really love Gantry5 and I was hoping since a long time that Gantry5 will continue. But now it is archived on github.
Ivo, I know you as a very dedicated and I really hope you can continue with Gantry5.
I am happy to help ensure that Gantry5 continues to exist and to assist in its further development

Regards
Nadja

Grzegorz Wójcik wrote:

RocketTheme is closing down. Will your templates work with Joomla 6?

I came here immediately after learning that Rocket Theme was closing down as well. I'm hoping that Peter Szalatnay, who was working on a fully Joomla 5 compatible Gantry 5 update will release it, and maybe even fork it on GitHub so it can continue with help from the community.

RocketTheme is closing down. Will your templates work with Joomla 6?

Hey John,

Sorry for the late reply.

I don't really have any updates, apart from the ones you already know. That Gantry 5.5.20 has been worked on for quite a while, it is not in a testing phase, and should be released in the very near future (hopefully in a couple of weeks).

I cannot speak for Rockettheme but I assure you that we are here to stay.
We are here for our users for the foreseeable future and I believe Gantry 5 will be here as well

Ivo, you have always been very responsive. This RT and Gantry concern continues to grow. I see someone is working on a new version of Gantry, 5.5.20. That's good news but it hasn't released yet and it is troubling since many of the latest Joomla enhancements have affected Gantry.

This thread is over a year old but the concerns are still here. I've pretty much given up on RT and was hoping Gantry could survive on its own with you continuing your development. Are there any updates from your side of this issue?

Hey Thomas,

Thank you very much for the kind words! It is really much appreciated
I am glad that you are enjoying our products! If you have any problems or questions, just open a new discussion here in the forum and we will assist you as soon as possible!

Have a great day and thank you once again

Let me say well, that's a relief! .. and refreshing :-) I have moved to using the I T templates for a couple of sites now with great results! https://fishthefingerlakes.com is one of them and my client and I love the way it came out.

Some of the comments addressed above were in my R T forum post so I appreciate the elaboration on the concerns of the post.

I'm here, all in loving it and midway through project using the 'Glory' template and I'm about to attempt my first install of a particle!

Keep up the good work, know that your work is much appreciated...

No problem at all, DAS.

I appreciate your thorough reply! That's great to hear.

DAS

Hi DAS,

Let me first start by saying that for us (InspireTheme), Rockettheme is like our big brother who we greatly respect and we are very thankful to.
Back in the early days of the Gantry 5 framework (between 2015-2017) I was a very active contributor to the project on Github (my username is JoomFX).
In order to show our appreciation to the Rockettheme team for developing the Gantry 5 framework we also became a backer for the Grav project (simply because the Gantry 5 framework is not available on OpenCollective). You can read more about it in this blog post.

Actually, a big part of the Rockettheme community knows about us and they are members of our community as well.
If you search in the Rockettheme forums for "InspireTheme" you will find quite some results starting from 2016-2017.

Anyway, back to the topic...
I heard about Mr. T - that's very sad indeed.
I didn't know him in person, but I was impressed by the quality (and quantity) of his posts in the Rockettheme forum.
He was a key person in the RT support so I do believe that the lack of response in the RT forums is in big part due to his absence.
I also believe (and hope) that this will be temporary until RT sort things out.

Regarding the Gantry 5 development - it is already a very mature and stable framework.
I also wish that the Rockettheme team (Andy, Matias, Djamil and Karol) had more time to spend on the Gantry 5 project but everything depends on the priorities. It is business after all.
However, because of the great potential that the Gantry 5 framework has, I do believe that the lack of activity is temporary.
We might not see some big new features for a while (the framework already has everything needed), but I believe that RT will maintain the project for the foreseeable future. I mean, they will address the security issues, the critical bugs, the Joomla 5 compatibility, etc.
We (InspireTheme) do not have much resources but we are also ready to contribute whenever and wherever we can.

Regarding the future of InspireTheme - we might not be very active in terms of new products but we are here to stay!
We are constantly improving our products - fixing bugs, optimizing the code, updating the Quickstart packages (we offer both Joomla 3 and Joomla 4 Quickstart packages), providing support for our customers, etc.
I love InspireTheme, it is my creation, so I will do everything possible to keep building and keep satisfying our customers.
I also love the Gantry 5 framework so I will be more than happy to assist our customers with all Gantry 5 related questions and problems.

I saw the topic in the RT forum so I'd like to address some of the concerns that people have:

1. I.T. offers the R.T. extensions as addons which, as we are aware, havent been updated or supported in several years and don't work (as far as I know) with Joomla 4 - We use the RT extensions (only RokSprocket) in the Joomla 3 version of our products. For Joomla 4 we have replaced them with our own particles. You can find more details in this blog post.

2. I. T. offers 'Particles' as add ons for a premium price. Well, I have attempted to install particles on RocketTheme templates (with Mark's help) and was never successful. - Our particles are built in a much different way compared to the ones in the RT templates. We build template-agnostic particles and make sure that they will work with each and every Gantry 5 template. Also, each and every one of our particles has its own installation instructions where the steps are outlined in details. Everybody can try with our free particles and see what I mean.

3. The templates that they offer are no where near as inspired as the RocketTheme templates - well, there's nothing to say here
It is a matter of personal taste. I like ours, but RT templates are great, indeed


P.S. I will make this discussion public so everybody can see the replies.