Possibility Space, a studio founded by the creator of State of Decay, Jeff Strain, has recently shut down, leaving many talented employees suddenly open to new job opportunities. The announcement of the studio’s closure was made public through social media posts from former employees. Jennifer Lane, a live director and social systems director at the studio, also shared the news on her LinkedIn profile, urging others to consider hiring the skilled individuals affected by the closure.
According to an email obtained by Polygon’s Nicole Carpenter, Jeff Strain blames the decision to cancel a major project for the studio’s closure. Strain alleges that internal leaks to the press, specifically by Kotaku senior reporter Ethan Gach, played a significant role in this situation. The leaks reportedly contained non-public information about Project Vonnegut, including details about the studio’s publishing partner and internal discussions. The revelation of such information, sourced from current employees, was a shock to Strain, who believed that this sort of confidentiality breach would typically come from external hacking.
Following the cancellation of the project and discussions with their publishing partner, Possibility Space mutually agreed to close the studio. Employees were informed via email that their last day of employment would be the same day as the announcement. Strain assured the employees that their final paychecks, including payments for work until that day, would be deposited into their accounts. Details about termination agreements, tax calculations, and severance will be finalized within a few days.
In addition, Strain mentioned that the D.C.-based global law firm has been retained to oversee the wind-down of the studio. An employment attorney from the firm will be in touch with employees to provide further details and act as the main point of contact for employment-related matters. It was also mentioned that employees could keep their development equipment, but only if they permanently deleted all company information and adhered to their confidentiality obligations.
This unfortunate turn of events marks the end of Possibility Space, a studio that was established by Jeff Strain and his wife, Annie Delisi Strain, under the Prytania Media label in 2021.
The closure of Possibility Space raises questions about the security of confidential information within game development studios. While external hacking is commonly seen as a threat, the internal leaks in this case demonstrate that companies should be vigilant about safeguarding their proprietary information. It will be interesting to see if other game development studios take extra precautions to protect their projects and confidential discussions in the future.
The abrupt closure of Possibility Space also highlights the volatile nature of the game industry. Even well-established studios with talented teams can face unexpected challenges, leading to closures and job loss. This serves as a reminder that individuals working in the industry should be prepared for uncertainties and consider building a versatile skillset to stay competitive in the job market.
Looking ahead, the industry may see more studios adopting stricter confidentiality protocols and increasing efforts to prevent internal leaks. The incident involving Possibility Space could serve as a cautionary tale for other studios, encouraging them to prioritize data security and ensure that employees fully understand their confidentiality obligations.
From a broader perspective, the closure of Possibility Space also raises questions about the future of independent game development. With the industry becoming increasingly competitive and demanding, smaller studios may face more challenges in attracting funding and completing projects successfully. Collaboration and partnerships with larger publishers could become vital for independent studios to navigate these difficulties and ensure their longevity.
The closure of Possibility Space ultimately serves as a reminder that the game industry, like any other, is subject to unexpected turns of events and challenges. However, amidst the uncertainty, opportunities may arise for talented individuals who find themselves suddenly available for new job opportunities. As the industry continues to evolve, it will be crucial for both studios and individuals to adapt and embrace change.