The video game development studio Gunzilla Games, known for its upcoming battle royale project Off The Grid, faces serious allegations of widespread and systemic failure to pay employee wages. Former staff members, including leadership roles, have publicly accused the multi-national company of salary delays stretching for months, with some claiming to have worked without compensation. The controversy draws attention to the studio’s operations across its offices in London, Frankfurt, and Kyiv, its use of generative AI and NFTs, and leadership actions amidst the financial turmoil.
Public Allegations by Former Head of Talent Acquisition
The situation escalated when Gunzilla’s former head of talent acquisition took to LinkedIn to detail their personal struggle with “significant salary delays.” They described the problem as systemic, stating that months would pass with no payment and no clear timeline for resolution. The executive directly accused CEO Vlad Korolev and CFO Taras Basarab of ignoring repeated requests for clarity on the payment issues. While this individual later noted their “personal matter” had been resolved, they emphasized they were not alone, stating, “I know many talented colleagues who are in the same ‘fog.’ We’re not asking for bonuses, we’re demanding what we have earned.”
Claims of Unpaid Salaries and Broken Promises
The allegations extend far beyond a single case. Another former employee declared they were laid off at the end of August and are still awaiting their final reimbursement for that month. A separate, more detailed account reveals employees worked for extended periods without pay based on management assurances. “I foolishly worked for 3 extra months (October, November and December) with assurances that delays in payment would be resolved,” the employee wrote. They claimed upper management framed the delays as temporary growing pains for a new company developing a new game.
Leadership Meetings and Requests for Secrecy
Perhaps the most damning accusation involves a reported meeting in December 2025. According to one former staffer, CEO Vlad Korolev addressed some employees about the payment delays in a call. The employee alleges Korolev insisted the studio was profitable but urged staff to keep the wage issue confidential and continue working. This portrayal of leadership prioritizing secrecy and continued labor over immediate financial rectification has fueled further criticism of the company’s internal culture and fiduciary responsibilities.
Gunzilla’s Current Project: Off The Grid
These internal financial struggles are occurring against the backdrop of Gunzilla’s primary development effort: Off The Grid. This battle royale shooter is currently in early access and has attracted attention for its integration of an “optional NFT element,” where in-game items are tradeable. Furthermore, a Steam disclosure confirmed the studio leveraged generative AI tools to produce early concept art, audio samples, and translations during production. The combination of cutting-edge and controversial technologies defines the project’s ambitious scope, now clouded by the workplace allegations.
Broader Industry Context and Scrutiny
The accusations against Gunzilla Games enter a volatile period for the game development industry, where layoffs, project cancellations, and financial instability have been widespread. Claims of unpaid wages represent a severe breach of trust and labor standards, raising questions about project management, funding allocation, and corporate governance within studios engaged in high-cost, long-term development cycles. The situation highlights the human cost behind ambitious game development, particularly when studios blend traditional gaming models with emergent trends like blockchain and AI.
Ongoing Silence and Response
At the time of writing, Gunzilla Games has not issued a public statement addressing the specific allegations of unpaid wages made by multiple former employees. Game Developer has reportedly reached out to the studio for comment, but no response has been published. This lack of official communication leaves the public accounts of former staff unchallenged and amplifies concerns regarding transparency and accountability within the company.
The unfolding controversy at Gunzilla Games underscores a critical tension between ambitious technological innovation in game development and fundamental ethical obligations to a creative workforce. As Off The Grid continues its early access journey, the studio must now confront a crisis of credibility that threatens to overshadow its technical ambitions, with former employees demanding not just promised compensation but a basic acknowledgment of their professional contributions and dignity.
