Edition Polygon released material about the difficult state of affairs in the studio Fullbrightknown for creating games such as Gone Home and Tacoma… Based on conversations between journalists and current and former employees, co-founder of the team Steve Gaynor, who verbally supported minorities and issues of inclusiveness and equality, turned out to be a toxic person who hurt many colleagues and the female part of the studio in particular. At the same time, it is emphasized that Gaynor did not harass anyone.…
Fullbright employees interviewed say there was a very unhealthy atmosphere in the studio during the creation of the Open Roads game.… Gaynor has been accused of toxic behavior and micro-aggression that made his colleagues feel slighted. The female part of the studio says that her contribution to the production of the game was belittled by Gaynor. “Our efforts have been discredited,” said one developer.
“He ridiculed other people’s opinions and put some people in an awkward position in front of others. Sometimes it seemed that I was working for a mischievous schoolgirl.”
Since the development of Open Roads began in 2019, 15 people have ultimately left the studio, while the total staff consisted of about 20 specialists.… Most of them are women. They were attracted by Fullbright’s unusual approach to games. For example, in Gone Home, the topic of a lesbian’s relationship with parents was raised.
Gaynor himself admitted that his methods of managing the team were “unbearable”, apologized and promised to rethink everything, while consulting with management experts along the way. As a sign of respect to his colleagues earlier this year, he stepped down as creative director of Open Roads and actually found himself outside the studio, but is still working on the game as a screenwriter.…
“I’m sorry that it happened, but I’m sure I made the right decision, refusing to actively participate in the production of Open Roads. I believe in the team’s ability to bring the game to completion,” the hero of the news told reporters.
Not all employees, however, are happy with the fact that Gaynor is still running Open Roads.…
“Inside me, everything turns upside down at the thought that such a person is working on a game about women’s stories, given how he treats women in reality,” said one of Polygon’s interlocutors.
Open Roads will be published by Annapurna Interactive, which funded the development and was unpleasantly surprised by the situation with Gaynor, especially against the backdrop of layoffs in the studio. The release was scheduled for 2023, but against the background of staff turnover and scandals, it is not a fact that there will be transfers.
The game is dedicated to the journey of a mother and daughter, between whom a difficult relationship has developed.
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