Annapurna Interactive, the gaming division of media company Annapurna Pictures and publisher of beloved titles like one 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 the exodus, fans are left wondering what's to come as many of the publisher's in-development projects insist the transition hasn't affected them.
Per Bloomberg, every staff member of Annapurna Interactive resigned from the company following 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 refusal prompted Gary to walk away from the company, resulting in approximately 30 employees ing him, leaving Annapurna Interactive without any remaining staff.
What's Next For Annapurna Interactive?
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Following Gary's resignation, Hector Sanchez, an ex-Epic Games executive who was already in talks to take over Annapurna Interactive should the spin-off attempt have succeeded, is now the 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 every in-development game won't be affected. Existing contracts are being honored and the company is now 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 won't be impacted by the change, the mass resignation comes as a shock to many. The publisher is known for putting out some of the most interesting games of the last decade, including Twelve Minutes and Stray.
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Annapurna Pictures is one of the pioneers of prestige cinema, having paved way for award-winning films and highly acclaimed independent films.
While Annapurna Interactive may not have consistently put out the best titles, its games were almost always exciting. One has to hope that the publisher's new leadership can retain the innovative spirit that made the company such an exciting part of the video game industry. Fans will just need to hope that Stray is similarly unaffected by the change.
Source: Bloomberg
