GAMING DIVISION IN CHAOS: Annapurna Interactive’s Entire Staff Quits Amidst Power Struggle
In a shocking turn of events, the entire staff of Annapurna Interactive, the gaming division of Megan Ellison’s Annapurna, has abandoned ship after a bitter dispute with Ellison over the division’s future. The move is seen as a catastrophic blow to the company’s ambitions in the gaming world.
According to sources, the resignations were triggered by Ellison’s refusal to allow the team to spin off its games division into a new company, effectively silencing the creative voices behind some of the industry’s most innovative titles.
The fallout is being described as a "bloodbath" with former president Nathan Gary, Annapurna Interactive executives, and around two dozen staff members fleeing the sinking ship. The remaining games and projects will be left to languish under the company’s control, a fate worse than death for any gamer.
This latest debacle is just the latest in a string of controversies to plague Annapurna Interactive. Last week, The Hollywood Reporter revealed that Gary and the coheads of Annapurna Interactive, Deborah Mars and Nathan Vella, would be leaving the company. The report also hinted at a plan to integrate the gaming division with the rest of Annapurna’s divisions, a move that has been met with widespread skepticism.
The timing of the resignations could not be more ironic. Just last month, Hector Sanchez, an Annapurna Interactive cofounder, announced that he would be taking on the role of president of interactive and new media at Annapurna. It’s unclear what the future holds for Sanchez and the company’s gaming ambitions.
Annapurna Pictures, the company’s film arm, has enjoyed a string of successes, including Her, American Hustle, and Zero Dark Thirty. But the company’s gaming division has been struggling to find its footing, despite publishing critically acclaimed titles like Lorelei and the Laser Eyes and Open Roads.
The resignations have sent shockwaves through the gaming community, leaving fans of Annapurna Interactive’s games wondering what the future holds for their beloved titles. One thing is certain: the gaming world will be watching with bated breath as this drama unfolds.
