The entire staff of Annapurna Interactive, the gaming division of Annapurna Pictures, resigned en masse after a deal to spin off the unit into a separate company fell through last week. The decision followed failed talks between Annapurna founder Megan Ellison and Nathan Gary, former president of the gaming unit. In a joint statement, Gary and the employees said, “All 25 members of the team collectively resigned.
This was one of the hardest decisions we have ever had to make and we did not take this action lightly.”
Ellison stated, “Our top priority is continuing to support our developer and publishing partners during this transition. We’re committed to not only our existing slate of games but also expanding our presence in the interactive space as we continue to look for opportunities to take a more integrated approach to linear and interactive storytelling across film and TV, gaming, and theater.”
Annapurna Interactive is known for participating in the development of several critically acclaimed indie games, such as “Stray,” “What Remains of Edith Finch,” and “Outer Wilds.” Its upcoming slate includes titles like “Forever Ago,” “Skin Deep,” “Bounty Star,” “Silent Hill: Townfall,” “Wanderstop,” and “Mixtape.” There is no word yet on whether these titles will face delays. Nathan Sanchez, a founding member who recently returned from Epic Games, is replacing Gary as president.
Resignation disrupts Annapurna Interactive projects
According to a report by Jason Schreier for Bloomberg, developers published by Annapurna Interactive are now scrambling to determine if their publishing partnerships remain valid. Despite the turmoil, Alan Wake 2 developer Remedy’s project remains unaffected, as its deal was with parent company Annapurna Pictures.
The resignation of the entire staff is an unprecedented event in the gaming industry, particularly during a period marked by mass layoffs and economic contraction. The team left their positions seemingly without notice, owing to the prospect of remaining a subsidiary of Annapurna Pictures. Annapurna Pictures has announced that it is focusing on moving forward, hiring to fill the vacancies, and continuing work on ongoing projects, including a highly anticipated Blade Runner game.
The situation remains fluid, and the industry is watching closely as more details emerge.
