Possibility space, set up a studio decay state Creator Jeff Strain has shut down, according to several sources Social media Post from its former employees.
one April 12 LinkedIn Jennifer Lane, whose profile lists her as the Field Director/Social Systems Director at Possibility Space, wrote in the post: “My company is closing today and many of my wonderful and highly skilled colleagues are suddenly losing their jobs today. Get working. Please consider yourself for any openings in design, engineering, art, community, and other roles. I’m #opentowork too and available to chat! Thanks.”
Email from Strain, obtained by: polygonNicole Carpenter, blamed the studio’s closure on a decision to cancel its major projects, which Strain claimed was made after internal leaks to the press from within the studio.Email specific name my city Senior reporter Ethan Gach.
Late last week, I received a list of topics and questions from Ethan Gach, a journalist. my city, regarding an article he was writing about the closure of Prytania Media and Crop Circle Games. Much of this was expected, but I was also surprised to see nonpublic information about the Vonnegut project, details of the business and financial relationships disclosed by our publishing partners, and the full extent of internal profit and loss discussions and confidentiality. Company meeting details. Mr. Gach specifically credits current employees as his source of information.
Leaks of this nature are often malicious and done by outside hackers, so it’s shocking to see an internal team member engage in this behavior under a nondisclosure agreement. Given the company’s own strict confidentiality and notification obligations, I immediately boarded a plane for a face-to-face meeting with our publishing partners to discuss the impact on the project. During that discussion, our partners expressed little confidence that they would be willing to commit the additional resources needed to complete the game, so we mutually agreed to cancel Vonnegut.
Due to the cancellation of the publishing relationship, after much consideration I will be closing the possibility space. Today is your last day at Possibility Space and Prytania Media. Your final pay (including wages for work at the end of today) will be credited to your account, along with any other required payments (as dictated by your place of employment). For employees outside the United States, today will serve as the first day of your notice period, with your last day of employment currently set for April 19, 2024. However, all non-U.S. employees (such as U.S. colleagues) will have no work obligations after today. In addition, all employees affiliated through the PEO will undergo separation procedures in accordance with applicable law.
It will take a few more days to finalize the details of the termination agreement with our publishing partners, calculate our tax, insurance, vendor and contractor obligations, and any other outstanding liabilities, and then determine what severance packages we can offer .
I hired a Washington, D.C.-based global law firm to oversee the studio’s closing. An employment attorney at the firm will shortly follow up with your personal email address and provide more details, and that person will be your direct point of contact for all matters related to your employment, including Continuation of insurance benefits, severance packages and/or related separation agreements. A copy of this email has also been sent to your personal email address.
You may retain your development equipment provided that you permanently delete all Company Information, confirm that you have done so in writing, and strictly comply with your existing confidentiality obligations, including the proper handling of Company intellectual property and other confidential and prosperous information. This confirmation will be coordinated through the forthcoming communication mentioned above.
As of today, I will be leaving the gaming industry to focus on my family and taking care of Annie. I wish you all the best in this complex industry and the challenges and opportunities ahead.
Jeff
Possibility Space was founded by Strain in 2021 under the Prytania Media brand (which Strain co-founded with his wife Annie Delisi Strain).