back to top
Friday. 11 October 2024

Annapurna Interactive staff resign following company shake-up

The entire staff of Annapurna Interactive has resigned following a failed attempt to spin off the division into a new company.

Published:

Published:

Trending Stories

- Advertisement -

Annapurna Interactive, the well-known publisher behind beloved indie games like Stray, Outer Wilds, Gorogoa, and What Remains of Edith Finch, has significantly changed. It has been reported that the entire gaming division staff has resigned following a failed attempt to establish a separate company.

Bloomberg first reported this shocking development, which IGN later confirmed. According to these reports, the 25 members of the Annapurna Interactive team collectively resigned after they could not convince Annapurna Pictures' founder, Megan Ellison, to let them spin off the games division. This decision came after discussions with Ellison to separate the gaming operations from Annapurna's broader business, which includes film, television, and theatre.

A difficult decision for Annapurna Interactive staff

Nathan Gary, the former president of Annapurna Interactive, told Bloomberg, “This was one of the hardest decisions we have ever had to make, and we did not take this action lightly.” Alongside Gary, the division's co-heads, Deborah Mars and Nathan Vella, have also left, marking a major shift for the company that has been synonymous with high-quality indie games.

Annapurna Interactive staff resign following company shake-up
Image credit: LinkedIn

In a statement provided to Bloomberg, an Annapurna spokesperson confirmed that despite the gaming team's resignation, the existing games and projects will remain under Annapurna's control. However, the future direction of the company's gaming division remains uncertain, with no immediate comment provided by Annapurna Interactive on how the transition will impact upcoming projects.

A new direction for Annapurna Interactive

This major development follows earlier reports from The Hollywood Reporter, which suggested that Annapurna had plans to integrate its gaming division more closely with its other departments, including film and television. These divisions have successfully produced highly acclaimed films such as Her, American Hustle, and Zero Dark Thirty. The move to unite the gaming arm with other creative sectors may be part of a broader strategy for the company to expand its influence in different entertainment mediums.

Hector Sanchez, a co-founder of Annapurna Interactive, previously announced his new role as president of interactive and new media at Annapurna. This appointment follows his tenure at , where he led the games business. His appointment was seen as a positive move for the division's future, yet it now comes amidst a turbulent period for the company.

Future of Annapurna's gaming projects

Annapurna has made a name for itself by publishing indie game titles and expanding into game development. In 2020, the company announced that it would begin developing its games, and in 2022, it launched an animation division that announced a movie based on Stray. The company's reach extended even further when it partnered with Remedy Entertainment last month to explore film and TV adaptations of Control and Alan Wake.

Annapurna Interactive staff resign following company shake-up
Image credit: The Gamer

Despite the significant changes within the company, several upcoming gaming projects are still under development. Annapurna Interactive recently published Lorelei and the Laser Eyes and Open Roads, and future releases include Blade Runner 2033: Labyrinth, Ghost Bike, and Wanderstop. However, with the core team gone, the future of these titles and Annapurna Interactive's long-term direction remain to be seen.

Annapurna Interactive staff resign following company shake-up
Image credit: Screen Rant

The company's reputation for bringing unique and creative games to the market has made it a fan favourite. As it moves forward without the team that helped shape its gaming legacy, the industry will watch closely to see how it navigates this new chapter.

Tech Edition has partnerships that involve sponsored content. While this financial support helps us with daily operations, it doesn't affect the integrity of our reviews. We remain committed to delivering honest and insightful content to our readers.

Tech Edition is now on Telegram! Join our channel here and catch all the latest tech news!



Emma Job
Emma Job
Emma is a news editor at Tech Edition. With a decade's experience in content writing, she revels in both crafting and immersing herself in narratives. From tracking down viral trends to delving into the most recent news stories, her goal is to deliver insightful and timely content to her readers.

Featured Content

NETGEAR Nighthawk RS700S: A game-changer for home networking with Wi-Fi 7 technology

Review of the NETGEAR Nighthawk RS700, highlighting its fast Wi-Fi 7 speeds, impressive coverage, and ability to handle multiple devices with ease.

Related Stories