Mass Resignation at Annapurna Interactive: Entire Gaming Staff Departs Amid Leadership Dispute

The entire staff of the gaming studio behind the popular cat game, Stray, has resigned - Times of India

The entire staff of Annapurna Interactive, the publisher behind the popular cat adventure game "Stray," has reportedly resigned en masse. The resignation follows failed negotiations to spin off the gaming division into an independent entity. According to reports from Bloomberg and IGN, all 25 members of the Annapurna Interactive team, including president Nathan Gary, collectively stepped down from their positions.The decision came after discussions with Megan Ellison, owner of parent company Annapurna, to establish the gaming division as a separate company broke down. The Verge reports that an Annapurna spokesperson stated existing games and projects will remain under the company's umbrella, despite the staff exodus. However, this sudden departure has left many partner studios uncertain about the future of their ongoing projects. Annapurna Interactive, known for publishing critically acclaimed indie titles such as "Outer Wilds," "What Remains of Edith Finch," and "Neon White," has been a significant player in the independent gaming scene. The company had recently expanded its ambitions, announcing plans to develop its own games and launching an in-house animation division in 2022. The resignation comes on the heels of recent leadership changes at Annapurna. Last week, The Hollywood Reporter announced the departures of Gary and co-heads Deborah Mars and Nathan Vella. Additionally, Hector Sanchez, an Annapurna Interactive co-founder, was appointed as the new president of interactive and new media last month. Despite the turmoil, Ellison has expressed commitment to supporting developer and publishing partners during this transition. The company aims to continue its presence in the interactive space and explore opportunities for integrated storytelling across various media. The TOI Tech Desk is a dedicated team of journalists committed to delivering the latest and most relevant news from the world of technology to readers of The Times of India. TOI Tech Desk's news coverage spans a wide spectrum across gadget launches, gadget reviews, trends, in-depth analysis, exclusive reports and breaking stories that impact technology and the digital universe. Be it how-tos or the latest happenings in AI, cybersecurity, personal gadgets, platforms like WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook and more; TOI Tech Desk brings the news with accuracy and authenticity.

Annapurna Interactive's entire gaming staff has resigned following a leadership dispute - Times of India

The entire staff of one of the largest and most acclaimed indie game publishers in the world has resigned. The mass exodus reportedly comes following a dispute with Annapurna's owner after negotiations to spin-off the game division. According to a report in Bloomberg, Annapurna Interactive has experienced a significant upheaval following the collapse of discussions to spin off the video game publisher into a separate entity.The entire team, including executives, has resigned, leaving the company in a state of flux. The departure is said to have been triggered by failed negotiations between the publisher's president, Nathan Gary, and Megan Ellison, founder of Annapurna Pictures, to create a standalone entity for Annapurna Interactive. While a company spokesperson confirmed to Bloomberg that such discussions took place, they ultimately fell through. Megan Ellison is Oracle founder Larry Ellison's daughter. Mass exodus In response, Gary and other executives resigned, leading to a mass exodus of the remaining team members. In a joint statement, the team explained that this was a difficult decision but one they felt compelled to make. "All 25 members of the Annapurna Interactive team collectively resigned," Gary and the group reportedly said in a joint statement. "This was one of the hardest decisions we have ever had to make and we did not take this action lightly." Annapurna Interactive's partners, who rely on the publisher for funding, quality assurance, marketing, and distribution, are reported to have been left scrambling to understand the implications of the team's departure. Hector Sanchez, a co-founder of Annapurna Interactive who recently rejoined the company as president for Interactive + New Media, has assured developers that their agreements will be honoured. How the company plans to tackle the leadership crisis To fill the void left by the departing team, Annapurna Interactive plans to hire new staff and rebuild from the ground up. Megan Ellison emphasised the company's commitment to supporting its existing slate of games and expanding its presence in the interactive space. Annapurna Interactive has gained recognition for its critically acclaimed titles such as What Remains of Edith Finch, Stray, Cocoon, Sayonara Wild Hearts, and Outer Wilds. The company's future now hinges on its ability to navigate this turbulent period and maintain its reputation as a leading publisher in the video game industry. The TOI Tech Desk is a dedicated team of journalists committed to delivering the latest and most relevant news from the world of technology to readers of The Times of India. TOI Tech Desk's news coverage spans a wide spectrum across gadget launches, gadget reviews, trends, in-depth analysis, exclusive reports and breaking stories that impact technology and the digital universe. Be it how-tos or the latest happenings in AI, cybersecurity, personal gadgets, platforms like WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook and more; TOI Tech Desk brings the news with accuracy and authenticity.