Annapurna Interactive, the gaming division of Media Company Annapurna pictures and publisher of popular titles like get lostis facing a severe restructuring as The entire staff of publishers resigned. Championed as one of the most exciting publishers currently producing work in the video game industry, Annapurna is known for taking risks on small indie games that may not have mainstream appeal but try to carve a niche for themselves with inventive mechanics. As the dust settles on Exodus, fans are left wondering what’s to come as many of the publisher’s in-development projects insist that the transition has not affected them.
Per Bloomberg, Every staff member at Annapurna Interactive resigns from the company after a breakdown in negotiations with Annapurna Pictures founder Megan Ellison. Annapurna Interactive president Nathan Gary was reportedly looking to break off the video game publishing group and establish it as a separate business but Ellison rejected the idea; Ellison’s reasoning has yet to be confirmed. The rejection caused Gary to leave the company, resulting in approximately 30 employees joining him, leaving Annapurna Interactive with no remaining staff.
What’s next for Annapurna Interactive?
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After Gary’s resignation, Hector Sanchez, an ex-Epic Games executive who is already in talks to take over Annapurna Interactive if spin-off attempts succeed, is now head of interactive and new media. Sanchez has reportedly already addressed the transition with the publisher’s collaborators and studios, reassuring both fans and developers that any in-development games will not be affected. Existing contracts are being renewed and the company is currently in the process of filling open positions with new hires or third-party companies.
As much of a relief as it is to know that Annapurna’s current projects will not be impacted by the change, the mass resignation comes as a shock to many. The publisher is known for releasing some of the most interesting games of the last decadeIncluding critic pets like Outer Wilds, What Remains of Edith FinchAnd Kentucky Route Zero. It even managed to break into the mainstream with massive hits like Twelve minutes And get lost.
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Although Annapurna Interactive does not consistently place the best titles, His games are almost always excitingc. One has to hope that the new leadership of the publisher can maintain the innovative spirit that made the company such an exciting part of the video game industry. Fans will just need to hope that the movie adaptation of get lost is similarly unaffected by the change.
Source: Bloomberg