Gunzilla Games Faces Serious Payment Allegations from Employees
Gunzilla Games, the developer behind the NFT battle royale title Off the Grid, which entered early access in October 2024, is currently under scrutiny due to allegations from employees regarding unpaid wages. This studio, notably supported by Neil Blomkamp—the visionary director behind District 9 and Gran Turismo—also made headlines last year for rescuing the long-standing gaming publication Game Informer after its abrupt closure by GameStop. However, the newfound praise has rapidly shifted as workers report significant payment issues.
Allegations of Non-Payment Surface
The claims of wage delays originate from both former and current employees who voiced their concerns on LinkedIn. Among the first to speak out was Paul Creamer, a former VFX, cinematic, and gameplay animator at Gunzilla. In a candid post, Creamer stated, “Gunzilla Games has not paid its employees for many months but still expects them to work. I personally haven’t received payment since October 2025, and some of my colleagues have been affected even longer.”
Creamer emphasized that despite reassurances from upper management, including CEO Vlad Korolev, he continued working with the hope of receiving owed wages.“Promises of timely payments were presented as mere temporary setbacks related to the company’s growth, ”he recounted.
Management’s Promises and Employee Dissatisfaction
During a departmental meeting in December, Korolev reportedly assured staff that financial issues would soon be resolved. Creamer, however, alleges that management has since become unresponsive to inquiries, suggesting a deliberate attempt to silence employee grievances.“It’s disheartening to see this repeat in my two-decade career as an animator, ”he lamented.
Additionally, other employees have echoed Creamer’s sentiments.Anna Savina, the former head of talent acquisition, also claimed that her salary had been delayed for “several months”but later updated her post to note that her personal situation had been resolved.
Widespread Payment Issues Confirmed by Multiple Employees
As of now, Savina appears to be the only former employee who has found a resolution to her payment issues. Despite Creamer’s efforts, he has yet to receive payment, and additional voices like Sergei Kochurkin, a concept artist, chimed in to confirm similar experiences. Kochurkin expressed frustration stating, “I haven’t received payments for August and September… big scam.”
Meanwhile, Antron Palii, a senior QA engineer, reported being without a paycheck for five months. His experience mirrored that of many others as he noted the CEO had previously assured him of resolution, yet he eventually lost access to company resources without receiving his due wages.
Others like gameplay animator Rayan Tiraghan and UI programmer Riccardo Galdieri have confirmed they were also owed payments. Galdieri highlighted a broader issue, mentioning, “There are dozens of people with pending salaries from them.”Importantly, Galdieri noted that he was eventually compensated after seeking legal assistance.
The Future of Gunzilla Games and Its Employees
Resolving these salary disputes seems to depend on drawing attention to the matter, as demonstrated by Savina’s LinkedIn post and Galdieri’s legal actions. With multiple employees now publicly sharing their struggles, the lack of communication from Gunzilla Games raises concerns about the company’s financial stability.
The ongoing situation could indicate serious financial troubles for Gunzilla, potentially leading to significant layoffs or even the studio’s closure. This could reverberate negatively, not only affecting the employees still waiting for wages but also jeopardizing Game Informer, which has only recently been revived.
As the story develops, the gaming community watches closely, anticipating further announcements or actions from Gunzilla Games.
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