AssetID: 54159005
Headline: Annapurna's mass staff exodus is described as "a baffler," according to a company spokesperson
Caption: According to the Eurogamer, a company spokesperson called the recent mass exodus of staff from the hit indie game company Annapurna "a baffler. The publisher, known for titles like Stray, Outer Wilds, and Cocoon, faced an entire staff walkout after a dispute with its owner, putting its future in jeopardy. Developers collaborating with Annapurna have reassured players that upcoming releases will still be available. However, it remains uncertain how the dispute will be resolved or how the company will proceed with its projects. In the meantime, Annapurna is actively hiring to replace its staff. Eurogamer reported that an Annapurna spokesperson told IGN, "The whole situation is a baffler, but now we're focused on moving forward. "We've had really great conversations with an overwhelming majority of our existing development teams and are grateful for their partnership. If our inbox is any indication, a ton of developers continue to want to be a part of what we're building, and we look forward to seeing their pitches." We've also had an influx of quality job applicants and are excited to build a team passionate about our mission to tell original stories that aren't being told elsewhere. P.S. We're hiring." The turmoil started in mid-March 2024 when co-founder James Masi was unexpectedly let go. Although Annapurna claimed president Nathan Gary's departure was voluntary, sources told IGN he was also fired, sparking outrage among staff—some even left in protest. When Annapurna founder Megan Ellison reportedly urged staff to stay, Masi, Gary, and others returned, leading to the formation of a new company called Verset with shared ownership between Annapurna and Verset's leaders. While the departing staff could be continuing with Verset, Annapurna is now scrambling to replenish its workforce.
Keywords: stray,annapurna,annapurna interactive,annapurna staff exodus,verset,verset and annapurna,annapurna games
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