About Greedfall 2
Greedfall 2 is developed by Spiders and published by Nacon. The studio, known for its previous title Greedfall, is facing liquidation due to alleged mismanagement and financial decisions made by Nacon since their acquisition in 2019.
Liquidation Details and Union Response
The confirmation of Spiders' liquidation has led the French Syndicat des Travailleureuses du Jeu Vidéo (STJV) union to issue a strong statement. They claim this outcome is "a premeditated and deliberate choice by Nacon’s management". The union emphasizes that 71 workers will see their job, their career, and their income slashed due to what they describe as Nacon's incompetence and malice. Officially, the liquidation is attributed to Spiders not making enough profit and the lack of a takeover offer, but the union argues it stems from Nacon's deliberate actions.
The STJV elaborates on the situation, stating, "Since being bought in 2019, the studio was the victim of financial arrangements in which Nacon was, at the same time, Spiders’ owner, president and single client." This has led to a scenario where Spiders did not receive royalties from its games, and all its income was effectively seized by Nacon. They characterize Spiders as an empty shell, reduced to a mere department within Nacon, susceptible to being dismantled at Nacon’s discretion.
Last year, Nacon canceled production on project Dark without providing clear explanations, which the union believes marked the beginning of the end for Spiders. They note that Nacon's refusal to sign a new contract left the studio without a safety net after the release of Greedfall 2. The union states that Nacon not only ignored the studio's financial alerts but also blocked any attempts by Spiders to seek assistance from other publishers.
Impact on Workers and Boycott Call
The liquidation means that workers at Spiders, who already faced inadequate compensation, will no longer receive any financial benefits from the studio's game sales. The STJV articulated this harsh reality, stating, "Workers at the studio already didn’t get anything beyond their salaries, which was paltry for many of them. Now, it will be impossible for them to receive even a cent from the studio’s games sales." In light of these circumstances, the union has called for a boycott of Nacon, insisting that players should avoid financially supporting the publisher responsible for the studio's closure.
They firmly declared, "We refuse to see the group responsible for Spiders’ abrupt end pillaging the still-warm body of our jobs." The union hopes that, while players enjoy their games, they will refrain from rewarding Nacon for its actions.
What This Means for Players
This situation raises serious questions about corporate accountability in the gaming industry. The union's call for a boycott reflects deep frustrations within the development community, highlighting how mismanagement can directly impact the livelihoods of workers. Players who support Nacon may inadvertently endorse practices that lead to such outcomes, bringing the ethical implications of game purchases into focus.
As the industry continues to evolve, the fate of Spiders serves as a cautionary tale regarding the responsibilities of publishers towards their studios and employees. The community's response will likely shape future interactions between developers and publishers.