Annapurna's Game Division Resigns, Future Unclear

A disagreement with Megan Ellison led to the mass resignation of the entire Annapurna Interactive staff, the video game division of Annapurna Pictures.

Annapurna Interactive Staff Resign After Failed Negotiations

Fallout at Annapurna Interactive

Annapurna Interactive, renowned for indie hits like Stray and What Remains of Edith Finch, has experienced a significant shakeup with the departure of its entire staff. The resignations stem from unsuccessful negotiations between the team and their parent company, Annapurna Pictures.

While specifics are limited, it's understood that the staff, under the leadership of then-president Nathan Gary, aimed to establish Annapurna Interactive as an independent entity. However, these efforts collapsed, leading to over 20 employees resigning shortly after Gary stepped down.

"All 25 members of the Annapurna Interactive team collectively resigned," Gary confirmed to Bloomberg. In a unified statement, the team expressed that "this was one of the hardest decisions we have ever had to make and we did not take this action lightly."

Despite the upheaval, Megan Ellison of Annapurna Pictures has reaffirmed their dedication to their partners, stating to Bloomberg News, "We 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 extends beyond Annapurna, affecting indie developers who have been left uncertain about their ongoing projects. According to Bloomberg, these developers are now seeking new contacts and are unsure whether Annapurna will fulfill its existing commitments.

Remedy Entertainment, whose upcoming title Control 2 was co-funded by Annapurna Interactive, has provided some clarity on their situation. Thomas Puha, the company's communications director, tweeted, "Many of you are reaching out about the news around Annapurna. Thank you for your care! Remedy’s deal for Control 2, including Alan Wake and Control AV rights, is with Annapurna Pictures, and we are self-publishing Control 2."

In response to the resignations, Annapurna Interactive has named Hector Sanchez, one of its co-founders, as the new president. Sources close to the matter, speaking anonymously to Bloomberg, have indicated that Sanchez is committed to upholding existing contracts and rebuilding the team.

More than a week ago, Annapurna announced a restructuring of its gaming operations, with Sanchez taking the helm of the indie gaming department following the exit of Nathan Gary and co-heads Deborah Mars and Nathan Vella.

For further details on Annapurna’s reorganization, you can read our comprehensive article below!