Allegations of Unpaid Staff
Gunzilla Games, the company behind the NFT battle royale Off the Grid, is currently facing serious allegations from former employees about delayed payments. Some staff members claim they have gone months without pay, raising concerns about the studio's financial practices.
Former senior animator Paul Creamer took to LinkedIn to share his experience, stating that he had not received payment since October 2025. He mentioned that during a call with CEO Vlad Korolev, the promise was made that invoices would be settled promptly. However, he feels that the company has ignored their concerns since then.
CEO’s Response
In a message on X, Korolev acknowledged the claims but emphasized that the salaries of “full-time official employees” have never been delayed by more than a week. He stated, “to not disrupt company operations, some payments may be scheduled in a way that works for the company's cash flow.” This explanation, however, has not assuaged the concerns of the former staff.
Korolev also described the allegations as part of a “new narrative from haters,” suggesting that some people are attempting to undermine the studio's success. His comments reflect a defensive stance amid increasing scrutiny over the company's payment practices.
Experiences of Unpaid Contractors
Other former employees have echoed Creamer’s sentiment. Anna Savina, Gunzilla’s former head of talent acquisition, remarked that she is facing a significant outstanding debt due to unpaid wages covering several months. Similarly, QA engineer Oleksii Zhestianenko reported being laid off without receiving his final paycheck.
Anton Palii, another senior QA engineer, shared his struggle with delayed payments, stating that he went nearly five months without pay. After confronting the CEO about the issue, he was terminated without compensation, which compounded his frustrations.
Gunzilla's Financial Health
Despite the troubling reports, Korolev maintains that Gunzilla is financially stable. He claimed that the company has been profitable and continues to honor its obligations. He noted that optimizing costs is a common practice in the gaming and tech industries, especially during challenging financial periods.
In his statement, Korolev emphasized the need to ensure that the company continues to move forward, asserting, “we honor every obligation.” However, the experiences shared by former employees paint a different picture of the company’s internal operations.
Community Reaction and Future Implications
The response from the gaming community has been mixed. While some players continue to engage with Off the Grid, user reviews remain decidedly split, indicating that the game's reception may be affected by the studio's internal controversies. The pressure on Gunzilla to resolve these payment issues grows as more former employees come forward.
As the situation develops, it will be crucial to observe how Gunzilla responds to its current challenges and whether it can maintain its operations while addressing employee concerns. Transparency and accountability may be key factors in regaining trust among both current and former staff.
