Annapurna Studio's Game Staff Departs Amidst Uncertainty

The entire Annapurna Interactive team, the video game division of Annapurna Pictures, has resigned following a disagreement with Megan Ellison, leaving the future of the publishing arm uncertain.

Annapurna Interactive's Mass Resignation

The publisher behind successful titles like Stray and What Remains of Edith Finch has experienced a complete staff exodus. This follows failed negotiations between employees and parent company Annapurna Pictures.

Reports indicate that the staff, led by then-president Nathan Gary, proposed establishing Annapurna Interactive as an independent entity. These negotiations ultimately failed, resulting in over 20 employees resigning shortly after Gary's departure.

"All 25 members of the Annapurna Interactive team collectively resigned," Gary confirmed to Bloomberg, adding that the decision was "one of the hardest we have ever had to make."

Annapurna Pictures' Ellison assured partners of continued support for existing projects and a commitment to interactive entertainment. She stated to Bloomberg News that they "continue to look for opportunities to take a more integrated approach to linear and interactive storytelling across film and TV, gaming, and theater."

The impact of this mass resignation is significant. Indie developers previously partnered with Annapurna Interactive are now facing uncertainty, needing to establish new contacts and confirm the continuation of their agreements.

Remedy Entertainment, whose Control 2 received partial funding from Annapurna Interactive, clarified the situation via communications director Thomas Puha on Twitter (X): "Remedy’s deal for Control 2...is with Annapurna Pictures, and we are self-publishing Control 2."

Annapurna Interactive has appointed Hector Sanchez, a co-founder, as its new president. Anonymous sources cited by Bloomberg report Sanchez has assured partners of contract fulfillment and staff replacement.

This follows a broader restructuring announced over a week prior, including the departure of Gary, Deborah Mars, and Nathan Vella.

For further details on Annapurna's reorganization, please refer to our related article.