Open Roads creative director steps down after toxicity allegations

Steve Gaynor, co-founder of the studio Fullbrightknown for Tacoma and Gone Home, is no longer the creative director of the future adventure Open roads… About it stated team of the game, emphasizing that a healthy work environment is extremely important in a small team.

Several former employees anonymously explained to the publication Polygonwhat happened. It turns out that many of the studio staff felt slighted and humiliated by Gaynor, although no one accused him of sexual harassment or explicit sexism.

Although the studio emphasized its own inclusiveness, in reality, the women in it were constantly faced with micro-aggression. In particular, their contribution to the project was constantly belittled and discredited. Since the beginning of work on Open Roads, since 2019, 15 people have left the studio, 10 of them are women. At the same time, the total staff of Fullbright did not exceed 20 people.

Gaynor himself apologized and admitted that his leadership style was unbearable. After stepping back from the leadership role, he promises to rethink his role and behavior, including with the help of an experienced management consultant. As for the game, he remains its scriptwriter.

I care deeply about Open Roads and the Fullbright team. I’m sorry that I refused to actively participate in the development of Open Roads, but I did the right thing. I fully believe and support the Open Roads team who will take the game to completion.

Steve Gaynor

Recall that the plot of Open Roads is devoted to the relationship of two women: a mother and daughter, who never got along with each other, go on a long journey together that will reveal many family secrets. The game is due out this year, publishes it Annapurna Interactive…

Related Posts:

Related Posts