Video Gamer is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Prices subject to change. Learn more
Quantic Dream has reportedly sued French newspaper Le Monde and website Mediapart after both outlets published reports earlier in the year about alleged poor working conditions at the Paris-based studio.
Kotaku learned the news from David Cage at a press event in New York City for Detroit: Become Human last week. When one of the site's reporters quizzed the Quantic Dream co-founder about what happened following Le Monde's article in January, he let slip, 'We're suing their journalists' (although not before Sony PR attempted to shut down the question).
Kotaku's Jason Schreier happened to be in Paris last week, and had planned to meet up with Le Monde journalist William Audureau, but Audureau was forced to pull out at the last minute. Schrier was told Audureau was 'caught up in court.'
Schreier later confirmed from Audureau himself that he was dealing with paperwork pertaining to Quantic Dream's lawsuit. In addition, a journalist for Mediapart confirmed to Kotaku that the Detroit studio was also suing the company.
'The story has been written sincerely, following a well-documented, thorough investigation, respectful of the principle that both sides must be heard,' commented Audureau. 'We stick with our information.'
In total there were three media outlets that ran reports on toxic working conditions at Quantic Dream: Le Monde, Mediapart, and CanardPC. However, the latter revealed to Kotaku that it was not caught up in any legal action. Its publishing director Ivan Gaudé said Quantic Dream had sent two 'threatening letters' before and after the article was published, but 'nothing came after both letters.'
Quantic Dream strenuously denied the accusations that were published in the articles, which include allegations that studio co-CEO Guillaume de Fondaumière made unwanted advances towards staff, claims that Cage apparently did not consider the feelings of his female co-workers, and racist and homophobic jokes made inside teams and by management.
