Gunzilla in Crisis: CEO Calls Contractors 'Haters' Over Payment Delays
War on X and silent layoffs at Gunzilla Games. Is Off the Grid collapsing? Analysis of the internal conflict.
Silence on LinkedIn, noise on X
The PC gaming industry is full of drama again, but this story goes beyond ordinary rumors. Gunzilla Games, the studio known for the NFT battle royale "Off the Grid", is facing serious allegations of delayed payments. The issue started with quiet whispers on LinkedIn, only to explode on social media. What is actually happening inside the developer's offices?
Former senior animator Paul Creamer openly wrote on LinkedIn that the company did not pay employees for months. By October 2025 he had not received his salary, while others have it even worse. These are not ordinary delays. These are systematic arrears touching key people in the team.
The truth about full-time employees
Korolev claims that full-time official employees never had delays longer than a week. However, Anna Savina describes herself on LinkedIn as a full-time employee of the studio. This is a contradiction that has not been explained. If the company does not pay the recruitment head, how can it guarantee security for others?
The matter is even more complicated. Korolev mentioned that "one of the loudest voices" – a contractor – was repaid immediately after withdrawing. He did not provide a name, but Savina updated her post the next day, reporting "resolution of personal matter". Does this mean that only selected people have access to money?
Web3 offensive and its price
The conflict does not happen in a vacuum. "Off the Grid" is a game based on Web3 and Gunz tokens. The value of this token dropped sharply after the launch and shows no signs of recovery. This may be the key to understanding the arrears. Web3 finances are fragile.
The studio collaborated with director Neil Blomkamp, but the presence of a star did not save the game from criticism for NFT and cosmetics. Reviews on Steam are mixed, though the number of players is stable. Did the company expect more profit than it is making?
Work life balance culture?
The CEO proudly wrote that there was not a single day in the company in "work-life balance" mode. This is not a compliment. It is a warning to employees who wish to maintain their health. Combined with payment delays, it sounds like an announcement of a new crisis.
If the company cannot manage money for contractors, it should not plan the future. Will "Off the Grid" survive in its current shape?
What to expect next?
Analyzing the situation, one concludes that Gunzilla is not just a victim of fate. It is a deliberate maneuver to maintain control over a worker's army. Lack of financial transparency combined with aggressive rhetoric is a recipe for tragedy.
PC Gamer reached out to Gunzilla for comment, but the studio remained silent. Until they reveal full financial reports, speculation remains. Is this the end of the Gunzilla Games era?
FAQ
Is Gunzilla Games firing employees?
Employees claim they are being fired without final pay, e.g., Anton Palii after a confrontation with the CEO.
Is the game Off the Grid a success?
The game has a stable player base, but the Gunz token is losing value, which may threaten the studio's finances.
Does Vlad Korolev deny lying?
The CEO claims delays only affect contractors, not full-time employees, despite contradictory claims.
Does the company cooperate with PC Gamer?
PC Gamer contacted Gunzilla for a comment, but the studio did not respond to the query.
