Annapurna Games Division Abruptly Departs

A disagreement with Megan Ellison resulted in the mass resignation of Annapurna Interactive's entire video game division staff.

Annapurna Interactive Staff Resign Following Failed Negotiations

Fallout at Annapurna Interactive

Annapurna Interactive, the video game publisher behind acclaimed titles like Stray and What Remains of Edith Finch, experienced a mass exodus of its entire staff. This followed unsuccessful negotiations between employees and its parent company, Annapurna Pictures.

Details remain limited, but reports suggest the staff, led by then-president Nathan Gary, aimed to establish Annapurna Interactive as an independent entity. These negotiations ultimately failed, leading over 20 employees to resign following Gary's departure a few days prior.

According to Bloomberg, Gary stated, "All 25 members of the Annapurna Interactive team collectively resigned." The team released a joint statement emphasizing the difficult nature of their decision and assuring it wasn't taken lightly.

Annapurna Pictures' Ellison reassured partners of their commitment to ongoing projects and expansion within interactive entertainment. In a statement to Bloomberg News, Ellison affirmed their continued pursuit of "opportunities to take a more integrated approach to linear and interactive storytelling across film and TV, gaming, and theater."

The consequences of this mass resignation are significant. Indie developers partnered with Annapurna now face uncertainty, with Bloomberg reporting that developers are actively seeking new contacts and clarifying the future of their agreements.

Remedy Entertainment, whose upcoming Control 2 received partial funding from Annapurna Interactive, addressed the situation via its communications director, Thomas Puha, on Twitter (X). Puha clarified that Remedy's agreement for Control 2, including rights for Alan Wake and Control, is with Annapurna Pictures, and that Control 2 is being self-published.

In response, Annapurna Interactive appointed Hector Sanchez, a co-founder, as its new president. Anonymous sources cited by Bloomberg reported Sanchez's assurance to partners that existing contracts will be honored and departing staff replaced.

Over a week prior, Annapurna announced a restructuring of its gaming operations. Sanchez's appointment follows the departures of former president Nathan Gary and co-heads of the indie division, Deborah Mars and Nathan Vella.

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