Following the confirmation that the developers of Greedfall 2, Spiders, are undergoing liquidation, the French union Syndicat des Travailleureuses du Jeu Vidéo (STJV) has released a statement stating that the studio’s situation is “a premeditated and deliberate choice by Nacon’s management.” The union contends that the choice to liquidate Spiders stemmed not from financial needs but as a strategic decision by Nacon, the publisher managing the studio. This news has raised considerable alarm within the gaming community and among industry experts, as Spiders is recognized for its distinctive contributions to the RPG genre, especially with titles such as Greedfall and Steelrising.
The STJV’s statement further lambasts Nacon’s management practices, indicating that the liquidation fits into a wider trend of corporate behavior that favors profit over the welfare of employees and the creative integrity of game development. In reaction to these assertions, the union has initiated a boycott of Nacon, encouraging gamers and industry stakeholders to rethink their support for the publisher until more ethical business practices are put in place.
The push for a boycott underscores the rising tensions between game developers and publishers, with labor unions increasingly taking a stand to advocate for fair treatment and transparency in the industry. As these events unfold, it remains to be seen how Nacon will address these claims and whether the boycott will influence their business practices. In the meantime, enthusiasts of Spiders’ creations are left in doubt about the studio’s future and the potential continuation of cherished game series like Greedfall.