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.
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 Epic Games, where he led the Unreal Engine 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.
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.
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.
