Annapurna Gaming Unit Dismantles, Casting Doubt on Studio's Fate

Annapurna Interactive Faces Uncertain Future After Mass Staff Resignation

A significant shakeup has hit Annapurna Interactive, the video game publishing arm of Annapurna Pictures. The entire staff, reportedly over 20 employees, resigned following failed negotiations with parent company Annapurna Pictures.

The resignation, spearheaded by former president Nathan Gary, stemmed from an attempt to establish Annapurna Interactive as an independent entity. These efforts ultimately proved unsuccessful, leading to the mass exodus.

Gary confirmed the collective resignation in a statement to Bloomberg, emphasizing the difficult nature of the decision. The team cited this as a last resort after attempts to negotiate a different structure failed.

Annapurna Pictures, under Megan Ellison, has assured partners that ongoing projects will continue to receive support and that the company remains committed to interactive entertainment. They aim to integrate storytelling across various media.

The situation leaves numerous indie developers who partnered with Annapurna in a precarious position, uncertain about the future of their projects and contracts. Remedy Entertainment, involved with Control 2, clarified that their agreement is with Annapurna Pictures and that they are self-publishing Control 2.

Annapurna Interactive has appointed Hector Sanchez, a co-founder, as its new president. Sources suggest Sanchez is working to reassure partners and replace the departed staff, ensuring existing contracts are honored. This follows a broader restructuring announced over a week prior, which also saw the departure of Deborah Mars and Nathan Vella. The future of Annapurna Interactive remains uncertain, but the company is attempting to navigate this significant challenge.