### Gunzilla Under Scrutiny: Claims of Unpaid Salaries and Employee Discontent
Earlier this week, Gunzilla Games, the studio responsible for the NFT battle royale *Off the Grid* and proprietor of *Game Informer*, encountered a wave of serious allegations from both past and present employees. These accusations involve considerable delays in salary, insufficient communication regarding the matter, and a culture of overwork among workers.
#### Claims of Unpaid Salaries
Reports emerged on LinkedIn indicating that Gunzilla had failed to pay several staff members for months. CEO Vlad Korolev provided an extensive response on Twitter, branding detractors as “haters” and dismissing claims as fear, uncertainty, and doubt (FUD). Although he recognized that some contractors might be experiencing payment delays, he stressed that full-time employees have received their wages consistently, usually not exceeding a week’s delay.
In his remarks, Korolev disclosed that payment timelines might be adjusted to suit the company’s cash flow rather than individual circumstances. He mentioned, “To safeguard the interests of our players and our full-time official employees, we function at a tempo that guarantees the company keeps advancing.”
Regardless of these reassurances, numerous former employees assert they are still waiting for back pay. Paul Creamer, a former senior VFX animator at Gunzilla, recounted his experience of working an additional three months without pay, citing management’s claims that the payment issues were merely temporary, part of the developmental challenges of a start-up.
#### Overwork Culture
In Korolev’s detailed tweet, he also addressed accusations of fostering an unmanageable work atmosphere. He stated there has never been a moment in the studio’s six-year legacy when employees enjoyed a balanced work-life ratio. Instead, he characterized the environment as a relentless pursuit similar to that of creating a project comparable to *Call of Duty*.
While praising the commitment and effort of his team, this acknowledgment of overwork culture raises ethical concerns regarding employee treatment in the gaming sector, particularly against the backdrop of unpaid wages.
#### Gunzilla’s Business Initiatives
Additionally, Korolev commented on Gunzilla’s purchase of *Game Informer* in 2025, framing it as a successful revival of the magazine following its discontinuation by GameStop. He described the publication as integral to his company’s expansion, asserting it is flourishing and developing daily.
Despite advocating for the growth of *Off the Grid*, the game has faced difficulties in attracting a vast player base, with reports indicating it has never surpassed 20,000 concurrent players on Steam. In his message, Korolev controversially asserted that the game’s success was partly due to its diligent staff, though the legitimacy of such assertions is now being questioned amid the ongoing controversies.
In response to doubts regarding the authenticity of his post, including allegations of using AI for the extensive message, Korolev retorted bluntly with “Find a job,” reflecting a dismissive attitude toward his critics.
#### Conclusion
The circumstances at Gunzilla underscore the persistent issues in the gaming industry concerning employee treatment, payment protocols, and the effects of overwork culture on staff morale. As current and former employees voice their concerns, the company’s capability to tackle these problems will play a crucial role in determining its future standing within the sector. For the time being, the gaming community observes intently as the story unfolds, prompting significant conversations about labor rights in gaming.
