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The Hunger Games cannon has fired for yet another decent bunch of devs. After the news last week that the free-to-play Marvel Heroes game was being shut down only a few months after it had launched on console (having been out on PC for a few years), there are now multiple reports from different sources and members of the team that Gazillion has closed and laid everyone off, ready for the most wonderful time of the year.
The original plan was for the servers to remain open until the end of the year, but it looks like plans have accelerated. The original report came from MassivelyOP after receiving a tip from a now-former Gazillion employee, but now other ex-staffers have been confirming the news that they’ve been laid off without severance, PTO (paid time off owed, like how some UK employers let you be paid in lieu of taking some of your holiday), and with their medical coverage ending in about a week.Â
Today we were told no severance. Not even paying out PTO. Good job, Gaz. I feared this would happen so I appreciate all the support you’ve given to shasta :https://t.co/aWyk0ja8Jh
— Anthony Gallegos (@Chufmoney) November 23, 2017
Yep, and we don’t even get our accrued pto paid out either.
— Brian Waggoner (@Asros) November 22, 2017
I know a lot of people are upset and wanting refunds for their purchases in @MarvelHeroes, but please keep in mind the developers were not paid out PTO, severance, and our medical insurance is ending in 8 days.
— Andrew Hair (@andrewhair) November 22, 2017
They were rumours that Gazillion was in trouble for a while, including events not rolling out to the game as planned and apparent allegations of sexual misconduct by the CEO. Following the news that the game was being ‘sunset’, players began seeking refunds for purchases they made in the game with the expectation that it would, uh, still exist after they paid for it. Some claim they got refunded, while others are not.
This is a horrible thing to happen to the devs, regardless of what you think of the companies involved. Fingers crossed everyone finds new work soon.
