Business
Annapurna Interactive’s entire staff resigns, leaving developers scrambling: Report
Annapurna Interactive, the video-game publishing division of Megan Ellison’s Annapurna studio, has been left in disarray following the resignation of its entire staff.
All 25 team members resigned shortly after President Nathan Gary and Ellison, daughter of billionaire Larry Ellison, failed to reach an agreement over spinning off the video game division as an independent entity, Bloomberg reported.
In a statement, Gary and the team said, “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.”
“Our top priority is continuing to support our developer and publishing partners during this transition,” Ellison said in a statement to Bloomberg News. “We’re committed not only to our existing slate of games but also to expanding our presence in the interactive space as we continue to seek opportunities for a more integrated approach to storytelling across film, TV, gaming, and theater.”
The sudden departure of Annapurna’s entire video game division has left game developers in confusion and uncertainty. As a publisher, Annapurna plays a crucial role in funding, quality assurance, localization, and marketing. Developers working with Annapurna have been scrambling to establish new contacts and seek assurances regarding the company’s commitment to their projects.
“All existing games and projects will remain under Annapurna,” a company spokesperson stated.
In private conversations with developers, Hector Sanchez, the newly appointed president and original co-founder of Annapurna Interactive, has assured them that the company will fulfill its contractual obligations and fill the positions left vacant by the departing staff. Sanchez recently returned to the company last month, according to Bloomberg.
Annapurna Interactive has built a strong reputation for publishing highly acclaimed indie games such as Outer Wilds, Stray, and Cocoon, which have garnered numerous awards. Recently, Annapurna announced a partnership with Finnish gaming company Remedy Entertainment to adapt the popular Control and Alan Wake franchises for film and television.
The Hollywood Reporter previously covered the resignation of Annapurna Interactive’s top executives but did not mention the departure of the entire team.
All 25 team members resigned shortly after President Nathan Gary and Ellison, daughter of billionaire Larry Ellison, failed to reach an agreement over spinning off the video game division as an independent entity, Bloomberg reported.
In a statement, Gary and the team said, “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.”
“Our top priority is continuing to support our developer and publishing partners during this transition,” Ellison said in a statement to Bloomberg News. “We’re committed not only to our existing slate of games but also to expanding our presence in the interactive space as we continue to seek opportunities for a more integrated approach to storytelling across film, TV, gaming, and theater.”
The sudden departure of Annapurna’s entire video game division has left game developers in confusion and uncertainty. As a publisher, Annapurna plays a crucial role in funding, quality assurance, localization, and marketing. Developers working with Annapurna have been scrambling to establish new contacts and seek assurances regarding the company’s commitment to their projects.
“All existing games and projects will remain under Annapurna,” a company spokesperson stated.
In private conversations with developers, Hector Sanchez, the newly appointed president and original co-founder of Annapurna Interactive, has assured them that the company will fulfill its contractual obligations and fill the positions left vacant by the departing staff. Sanchez recently returned to the company last month, according to Bloomberg.
Annapurna Interactive has built a strong reputation for publishing highly acclaimed indie games such as Outer Wilds, Stray, and Cocoon, which have garnered numerous awards. Recently, Annapurna announced a partnership with Finnish gaming company Remedy Entertainment to adapt the popular Control and Alan Wake franchises for film and television.
The Hollywood Reporter previously covered the resignation of Annapurna Interactive’s top executives but did not mention the departure of the entire team.