The entire staff of Annapurna Interactive (aka Annapurna Games)’s video game publishing division has reportedly resigned following a dispute with owner Megan Ellison, leaving the future of several games the company has yet to publish in doubt, Bloomberg News reports. Silent Hill Town FallBlade Runner 2033 Labyrinth, Wonderstop, Lushfoil Photo Simulation.
The Silent Hill: Town Fall publisher had reportedly been in talks between president Nathan Gary and company owner and founder Ellison to form a separate game publishing company. The report said Ellison pulled out of the negotiations, and Gary, other executives, and about two dozen staff members resigned in response. A company spokesperson confirmed this to Bloomberg, but it seemed to cast doubt on the future of several titles, including a Silent Hill horror game spinoff and the first Blade Runner game developed for PC since 1997.
In a statement provided to Bloomberg, Ellison reaffirmed the company’s commitment to 14 games currently in development and scheduled for release over the next few years. “Our top priority is to continue to support our developer and publishing partners during this transition period,” the statement read. “We are also focused on expanding our presence in the interactive space, as we continue to explore opportunities to take a more integrated approach to linear and interactive storytelling across our existing games, as well as across film, television, games and theatre.”
Nonetheless, Bloomberg reports that the aftermath of the resignation has left several developers in disarray, unable to get in touch with previous contacts and raising doubts about funding and support. It also reports that Annapurna Interactive president Hector Sanchez has since told developers that the company will bring in staff to fill the vacancies and honor all contracts, although it has yet to be confirmed what form that will take and how quickly the support will be implemented.
has reached out to Annapurna Interactive for a statement and will update this article once one is issued.
