Article is missing some context imo :

* Annapurna Pictures (the parent company of Interactive) had some financial issues previously at least (see [0] from 2019) while Annapurna Interactive was doing well for itself.

* Annapurna Pictures wanted to integrate the gaming division in-house (possibly to prop up the rest of the company)

* Staff and exec at Annapurna Interactive wanted to be spin off (see [1])

* Negotiations fell through, so most exec and staff at Interactive left

[0] https://variety.com/2019/film/news/annapurna-resolves-more-t...

[1] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-09-12/annapurna...

I hope whatever entity these people reform has the same magic.

Every single game they published had something unique. Outer Wilds, Telling Lies, Twelve Minutes, Edit Finch, Neon White, etc.

They didn't develop these games, but they have an eye for talent.

Good for them!

There's a lot to be said about certain large publishers but this publisher's list of games includes some very good titles. Just knowing they worked with the developers to release certain titles makes me very interested to see who they'll work with next. They seem like a group who will become a household name with a little luck in their marketing.

I understand why Annapurna would not want to spin off such a successful division but it sounds like the only leverage they had was existing IP, which the employees probably understand as a sunk cost. I'm glad they were all able to realize they could just do what they do under a different name; I get the feeling the developers they've worked with will remember them and they know it.

> “The report, which IGN can confirm based on conversations with our own sources, states that Annapurna Interactive president Nathan Gary had recently been in negotiations with Annapurna founder and billionaire Megan Ellison to spin the gaming segment off as its own company. However, Ellison eventually pulled out of negotiations, at which point Gary resigned. Almost 30 other individuals, including division co-heads Deborah Mars and Nathan Vella, as well as the entire remaining staff of Annapurna Interactive, joined him.”

From IGN — https://www.ign.com/articles/annapurnas-entire-gaming-team-h...

I don’t blame them. I’d rather negotiate my arm out of a shark’s mouth than the cost of a hot dog with Larry Ellison, or his daughter. You don’t get that awful rich by ever believing you’re awful rich enough.

This is hilarious and rather sad. How did Annapurna fumble such famous talent so bad?

dupe: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=41526074

I don't mean to diminish their work and I don't know much about the matter but the company founder is some billionaire's daughter. I fear ever having a boss like that just because of the fundamental difference in perspective and life experiences. I'm sure I won't be able to communicate with them.

I was looking forward to Blade Runner 2033. It's nice to have moody adventure games in this era. I imagine that this will delay it at the very least, but likely worse.

I hope the staff land on their feet...

and move on.

They produced the best games out there and that, remains patent.

What happens next is corporate wrangling less to do with creativity and more to do with profits.

The stranger thing in this thread is how many people are breathlessly defending nepo babies. They really don’t need your help guys. They are fine.

aw man these people made Sayonara: Wild Hearts, which is hands down the best iPhone game I have ever played.

Every time I hear thr name Annapurna, I think about the ARM SoC maker...

Makes you wonder, did the last person to leave turn off the lights?

I am a big fan of Stray! The atmosphere was both haunting and beautiful, and the emotional connection you feel as you guide the cat through puzzles, etc. Hearing about the uncertainty at Annapurna Interactive feels personal a little

Sad to see, Outer Wilds is probably the best game I've ever played. But I'm sure the staff will continue doing great work in whatever they decide to do next.

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Aren't these the same guys who published Stray?