With a beautiful trailer and showcase at The Game Awards last month,SeasonfromDarwin Projectdeveloper Scavengers Studio immediately landed on the radar of many for its striking visuals and exploration-based gameplay. While the title is currently in development, new details have surfaced from employees (both past and present) of internal issues at the company and its workplace practices.
Earlier this work,a detailed report fromGamesIndustry.bizsurfaced allegations of abuse and harassment at Scavengers Studio, the developer ofSeason. Specifically, the report detailed instances of abuse and sexual harassment from the studio’s co-founder and creative director Simon Darveau, among other accusations of the studio fostering a toxic work environment.GamesIndustry.biz’s Rebekah Valentine spoke to nine current and former employees of the studio, who detailed other instances of extreme workplace behavior including abusive remarks, yelling, and groping employees.
In the wake of the report,Scavengers Studio issued a statementregarding the allegations that surfaced and outlined its course of action in response. Specifically, the studio noted that Darveau has been indefinitely suspended from the studio and its Board of Directors, alongside additional shifts within the studio’s management. The studio also noted that an external audit will take place to assess the workplace environment, culture, and practices, and that CEO Amelie Lamarche will temporarily step down from her position for the duration of the audit.
In the wake of developments last yearsurrounding abuse and harassment allegations at Ubisoft, the situation at Scavengers is another instance of the effect of hostile work environments within the games industry. Hopefully after these claims have surfaced, the studio can begin to impose new practices that will foster a more productive and welcoming environment for its employees.
Seasonis currently in development for PS5 and PC, with no release date or window announced at this time.
