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Skullgirls developer Lab Zero lays off everyone who hadn't quit

By - | Views: 22,739

Things continue not going well for Lab Zero Games, after many essential staff up and quit over the behaviour of studio owner Mike Zaimont.

With that, it put the future of Skullgirls on PC and Indivisible in question. Thankfully for Skullgirls, Lab Zero Games did not own it and the previous statement from Hidden Variable and Autumn Games (who own the IP) mentioned their plan to continue on with it. So, Skullgirls will hopefully live on.

As for Lab Zero Games, they appear to not be continuing on. As mentioned by former developer Jonathan Kim on Twitter, who quote-tweeted another former Lab Zero developer, Kim mentioned that "Mike laid off everyone who didn't quit LZ" and that no severance has been agreed either. In a statement sent to Kotaku, Zaimont told them about being forced to lay off staff as they couldn't meet payroll and they have "more debt than cash".

Zaimont also mentioned about exploring funding options for bringing staff back, which has not gone down well. As the former level design lead on Indivisible, Mathew Kumar, mentioned on Twitter "Uh, we don't want to come back? We want the severance you promised/our CEO spent days helping you cost out AFTER they quit. Health insurance through September was not through you either!" and in a follow up tweet Kumar mentioned they still haven't heard back from Zaimont on it all, with a note that "Don't talk to the press if you aren't going to talk to us.".

If we hear any more on the future of Skullgirls and Indivisible on Linux PC, we will let you know. Zaimont didn't reply to our previous request for a statement about either. We're also waiting to hear back from Autumn Games about any future plans with Skullgirls, will update if they reply to us.

Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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11 comments
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DaiKaiser93 Sep 4, 2020
Quoting: GuestWhere does that leave indivisible ?
In the void, I guess...
gabber Sep 4, 2020
Quoting: PatolaThis refusal to answer comments from that Zaimont guy, would that be because of legal reasons? Because with a publicized conflict like that, he's surely not looking to be on the good side. I hope the former employees get their severance package and Health Insurance.

Only source Kotaku, based on allegations.. maybe that legal battle is also being fought in the other direction.

Sucks for the regular employees: The either had an asshole boss or a drama queen bring down the company.


Last edited by gabber on 4 September 2020 at 2:38 pm UTC
svartalf Sep 4, 2020
Quoting: gabber
Quoting: PatolaThis refusal to answer comments from that Zaimont guy, would that be because of legal reasons? Because with a publicized conflict like that, he's surely not looking to be on the good side. I hope the former employees get their severance package and Health Insurance.

Only source Kotaku, based on allegations.. maybe that legal battle is also being fought in the other direction.

Sucks for the regular employees: The either had an asshole boss or a drama queen bring down the company.

As often as not, you need to embrace the, "Awe-inspiring Power of AND!!" there.
Purple Library Guy Sep 4, 2020
Hmmm . . . wonder why there's suddenly no money for severance etc.
Was the company mismanaged and in debt? Or did the money disappear into the owner's pocket?
Julius Sep 7, 2020
Quoting: Purple Library GuyHmmm . . . wonder why there's suddenly no money for severance etc.
Was the company mismanaged and in debt? Or did the money disappear into the owner's pocket?

Likely neither. Indivisible was/is a way over ambitious game project (wanna be AAA Indie game) that given the high price point and ultimately only average Indie game qualities probably made a huge loss. It's not a bad game, but anyone with a bit of common sense could see that project having a high chance of killing the studio.
Mezron Sep 7, 2020
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This is so bad. My kids and I love Skullgirls but it has hampered their mood to play it or watch online matches of it like they use to. I hope the workers get what was promised and these this game continues to be supported. Luckily, we have the DRM-FREE version which is still good to play though it still has the broken issues with Big Band.
Cyba.Cowboy Sep 9, 2020
Quoting: RafiLinuxLuckily, we have the DRM-FREE version which is still good to play though it still has the broken issues with Big Band.

Where'd you get the DRM-free version? I can't see this game listed on GOG.com... Also, what are the issues with Big Band?


Last edited by Cyba.Cowboy on 9 September 2020 at 9:03 pm UTC
Mezron Sep 9, 2020
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Quoting: Cyba.Cowboy
Quoting: RafiLinuxLuckily, we have the DRM-FREE version which is still good to play though it still has the broken issues with Big Band.

Where'd you get the DRM-free version? I can't see this game listed on GOG.com... Also, what are the issues with Big Band?

The original release on Humble Bundle came with a DRM-FREE copy.

Big Band had a bunch of issues but his big step use to reach across the board and you can do infinite resets with him.
MaximB Sep 11, 2020
They had a great and very successful fighting game Skullgirls,
But instead of creating a sequel they created a new game none had asked for...and failed.
So sad. :(
Cyba.Cowboy Sep 22, 2020
Quoting: MaximBThey had a great and very successful fighting game Skullgirls,
But instead of creating a sequel they created a new game none had asked for...and failed.
So sad. :(

This is the correct response.

Skullgirls was fantastic - and I'm not even a "fighting game" guy ("button masher" on those rare days when I do play them...)! But instead of making a sequel, they made some other game that was boring and unoriginal...
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