"Nothing's gonna stop us from getting Wanderstop out the door": Annapurna Interactive partners react to mass resignations, as Remedy says its Control 2 deal is unaffected
Sep. 13, 2024All 25 employees working for the boutique publisher have reportedly resigned
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Annapurna Interactive’s entire workforce collectively resignedyesterday following a dispute with the publisher’s parent company Annapurna Pictures, but some developers working with both groups have given an update on their upcoming games.
Annapurna Interactive made a name for itself by publishing widely acclaimed, creative ‘arthouse’ games such as catventure Stray, speedrunning platformer Neon White, space puzzlebox Outer Wilds, and horny RPG Thirsty Suitors. As a publisher, Annapurna Interactive is responsible for funding projects, and providing QA and localization support, among other things, which obviously left many worried about its upcoming slate of games since many studios no longer have a point of contact within the company.
Stanley Parable co-creator Davey Wreden had announced the subversive, not-so-cozy shop management sim Wanderstop with the boutique publisher earlier this summer, which is supposedly going full steam ahead. “Just for the folks asking, we are 100% okay,” Wredentweeted. “Nothing’s gonna stop us from getting Wanderstop out the door very soon.”
Former Minecraft composer C418, who’s now behind the decks of Wanderstop, alsosaid, “We’re fine and our game is doing just fine!”
Lushfoil Photography Sim, the hyper-realistic game about snapping pics of gorgeous landscapes, is also seemingly unphased by the news given that it’s almost done, but its developer can’t say anything for certain since there’s no one left at the subsidiary to answer their questions. “Can assume at this stage that Lushfoil Photography Sim will be unaffected, given that the game itself is mostly complete,” the game’s social media accounttweeted. “Will keep you all updated but this news is definitely a loss, the Annapurna Interactive team were great to work with and gave the project a lot of love.”
Work on The Artful Escape developer’s new genre-shifting coming of age story called Mixtape also “continues.”
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Many questions were also raised about how this affects Remedy Entertainment’s deal with the company, as the studio recently announced thatAnnapurna would be co-financing the Control sequel and bringing some of its games to TV and film. The simple answer is: this doesn’t affect Remedy.
“Many of you are reaching out about the news around Annapurna (sorry to see what is going on to all involved ) Interactive,” Remedy communications manager Thomas Puhaexplainedonline. “Thank you for your care! Remedy’s deal for Control 2, including Alan Wake and Control TV rights, is with Annapurna Pictures, and we are self-publishing Control 2.”
Check out all thevideo game release datescoming up.
Kaan freelances for various websites including Rock Paper Shotgun, Eurogamer, and this one, Gamesradar. He particularly enjoys writing about spooky indies, throwback RPGs, and anything that’s vaguely silly. Also has an English Literature and Film Studies degree that he’ll soon forget.
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