Telltale Games Closure Was “Horrifying,” Says Co-Founder In New Interview
If the closure of a single studio could send gamers reeling, it was the announcement of Telltale Games’ shut-down last year. It came as a surprise to fans and even the number of employees behind the company doors. Employees were laid off as a result and with little to no warning, leaving developers and the loyal community scrambling for answers. In a recent interview, co-founder Kevin Bruner opens up on the “horrifying” ordeal.
Since stepping down from his position as CEO of Telltale Games, Bruner sat down to discuss the studio’s shut-down in greater detail. “I will say that the way the studio was shut down was horrifying to me,” Bruner told GameInformer. “People just showing up on a Friday and being told to go home because the company doesn’t exist anymore is not something I would have ever endorsed, and is absolutely not something I would have done.”
In another report, Bruner stated:
I was completely taken by surprise at the closure. It was unthinkable to me that the studio would shut down. The notion that you would go full-speed and then stop was just unfathomable to me; it’s certainly not how I run a business. I don’t know the details of the weeks that led up to that decision and how that decision was made, but I don’t know how you don’t at least give people two weeks.”
While understanding of the problem in its entirety, former Telltale narrative designer, Emily Grace Buck, mused on the issues Telltale had to face before closing its doors. From a toxic, unsustainable work environment, financial issues, and lawsuits, the walls they encountered were not unusual within the industry and to place blame on “any on person is really futile.” With that said, some believe their legacy shouldn’t have ended the way it did.
“It should never have happened, and it should never happen again, and I honestly believe that this closure,” said former head of creative communications Job Stauffer. “As big of a disaster as it is, is the death rattle of the way we produce and create video games.”
Do you think the closure of Telltale Games was done horribly? What do you think could have helped Telltale Games stay afloat? Would you want to see its revival? Let us know what you think in the comments section below or start a conversation on Don’t Feed the Gamers Facebook page. To stay up to date on gaming and entertainment news as it happens, follow us on Twitter! Here are some of our latest:
Hoi Duong2131 Posts
Hoi is an elusive figure at DFTG, whose favorite past-times include chillin' in the Fade, reading manga, watching anime, collecting novelty items, and gaming.
