Image: Laboratory Absolutely No Games/ Fall Games
Laboratory Zero Games, known for hit battling video game Skullgirls and the combo-heavy role-playing video game Indivisible, was at one point suggested to transition from being wholly owned by Zaimont to sharing equity with its workers. After accusations of inappropriate sexual comments went public, a board comprised of studio staff asked Zaimont to step down. When a deal couldnt be reached, nevertheless, Zaimont liquified the board and presumed complete control of Lab Zero, triggering seven integral members of the group to openly resign.
According to former workers who asked to remain anonymous, this left Lab Zero with 11 workers, Zaimont included, but the basic feeling in the studio was that the company was over. While a number of talented designers were left, losing style-defining artists like Kim, Cartwright, and Brian “EU03” Jun left a hole too huge to fill, specifically as the studios track record continued to sink. Deal with a brand-new task stalled, and numerous of the remaining workers obviously felt it was just a matter of time till either Zaimont or their publisher pulled the plug.
News of these mass layoffs became public yesterday thanks to former Lab Zero artist Jonathan “Persona” Kim, who helped promote fellow departee Marial Cartwrights sketchbook sale to raise funds for the fired designers., however hasnt agreed to a severance for them yet,” Kim explained on Twitter.
Laboratory Zero Games controversial owner Mike “Mike Z” Zaimont fired the studios whole personnel recently following a series of high-profile departures, leaving several full-time staff members and contract workers scrambling for assistance.
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Skullgirls residential or commercial property owner Autumn Games and Skullgirls Mobile designer Hidden Variable Studios have promised to keep the combating game alive with the help of former Lab Zero Games personnel for the foreseeable future. Annie, a long-awaited fan-favorite character, will be contributed to the mobile port this year before eventually heading to the primary game in 2021, with more content to come later on.
” Unfortunately, Lab Zero was forced into layoffs since we were no longer able to satisfy our payroll commitments,” Zaimont informed Kotaku through e-mail. I personally know how tough it can be to discover work in a badly carrying out economy, but we have more financial obligation than money, and the last thing I would ever do is not pay my hard-working colleagues or our partners for their work.
Its still unclear what type of severance agreement, if any, Lab Zero included in the staff member agreement. In the August 25 e-mail blast that revealed the layoffs, Zaimont informed his previous employees to be on the lookout for an additional severance e-mail of some sort and likewise guaranteed to preserve medical insurance through September.
Lab Zero Games, known for hit fighting game Skullgirls and the combo-heavy role-playing game Indivisible, was at one point indicated to transition from being completely owned by Zaimont to sharing equity with its employees. When a deal couldnt be reached, nevertheless, Zaimont liquified the board and assumed complete control of Lab Zero, prompting seven integral members of the group to publicly resign.
According to former staff members who asked to stay confidential, this left Lab Zero with 11 workers, Zaimont included, however the basic feeling in the studio was that the business was over.” Unfortunately, Lab Zero was forced into layoffs because we were no longer able to satisfy our payroll responsibilities,” Zaimont informed Kotaku through email.
