Annapurna Interactive Staff Resigns
The staff of Annapurna Interactive, the company’s gaming branch, has resigned en masse after failed negotiations with founder Megan Ellison. This includes Annapurna Interactive president Nathan Gary as well as several other executives and two dozen staffers. Gary was negotiating with Ellison to spin off Interactive into its own independent entity, and Ellison pulled out of said negotiations.
Bloomberg originally reported on the resignations, citing anonymous sources, and later confirmed it with a statement from Gary and the group: “All 25 members of the Annapurna Interactive team collectively resigned. This was one of the hardest decisions we have ever had to make and we did not take this action lightly.”
Future Uncertainty for Game Developers
Reportedly, game developers are unsure about the future of their projects without the Interactive team. Hector Sanchez, the gaming division’s new president, said that the company will hire new staff and honor its existing contracts.
Commitment to Game Developer Partners
Ellison stated in a separate interview with Bloomberg that the team is actively working on solutions for its game developer partners: “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.”
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Annapurna Interactive Collaboration with Remedy Entertainment
In August, Annapurna Interactive announced a deal with video game developer Remedy Entertainment, which is working on Control 2. Annapurna planned to develop film and TV projects related to Remedy’s Alan Wake and Control 2, and it seems that this collaboration will proceed as planned.
Popular Games by Annapurna Interactive
Some of Annapurna Interactive’s top indie games were Outer Wilds, What Remains of Edith Finch, Stray, and Cocoon.
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FAQs
Q: What led to the mass resignation at Annapurna Interactive?
A: Failed negotiations with founder Megan Ellison regarding the independence of the Interactive branch.
Q: What is Ellison’s stance on supporting game developer partners during this transition?
A: Ellison expressed a commitment to supporting and expanding relationships in the gaming industry.
Credit: venturebeat.com
