A French video game workers’ Union has accused publisher Nacon of making a “premeditated and deliberate choice” to close Spiders, the development studio behind the *GreedFall* series. The union, Le Syndicat des Travailleureuses du Jeu Vidéo (STJV), has called for a consumer boycott of Nacon in response to the studio’s impending liquidation.

Union Alleges Premeditation in Studio Closure

The STJV released a formal statement outlining its position on the Shuttering of the Paris based developer. The union characterized Nacon’s decision not as a financial necessity but as a calculated business strategy. Spiders, which was acquired by Nacon in 2019, has faced an uncertain future following reports of the publisher’s intent to close the studio. The union’s statement specifically described the move as a “premeditated and deliberate choice,” suggesting that the closure was planned in advance rather than being a reaction to sudden market shifts.

Details of the Allegations

While the union’s statement did not immediately provide granular financial evidence of wrongdoing, it argued that the closure represents a broader pattern of social destruction within the industry. The STJV has been a vocal critic of rapid studio acquisitions and subsequent closures, a trend that has affected multiple European developers in recent years. The union’s position implies that Nacon’s decision was made without sufficient regard for the workforce and the studio’s recent output, which included the launch of *GreedFall 2: The Dying World* in early access.

The Call for a Boycott

In response to the closure, the STJV is urging consumers to boycott Nacon’s products and services. The union is asking players to refrain from purchasing any Nacon published titles, including those developed by Spiders, in a bid to apply economic pressure on the publisher. This call to action is a direct attempt to leverage consumer power to protest what the union sees as a systemic failure in corporate governance regarding studio management.

Context and Industry Implications

Spiders is a long standing development team known for narrative driven action role playing games. The studio’s potential liquidation would add to a growing list of studio closures across the global games industry. Analysts have noted that the acquisition of smaller studios by larger holding companies can sometimes lead to layoffs or closures if a studio’s output fails to meet internal sales expectations. Nacon has not yet issued a detailed public response to the specific allegations made by the STJV regarding the premeditated nature of the closure. The situation highlights ongoing tensions between labor organizations and major publishers regarding job security and studio autonomy.

Looking Ahead

The immediate next steps will likely involve formal liquidation proceedings for Spiders, subject to French labor law. The union has indicated it will continue to support affected workers through the legal process. The effectiveness of the STJV’s boycott call remains to be seen, but it could influence public perception of Nacon’s corporate strategy. Industry observers will be watching for any official response from Nacon regarding the union’s claims and the fate of the studio’s current and future projects.

Source: GamesIndustry.biz