French Game Industry Union Calls Out Nacon Leadership For Poor Leadership Leading to Bankruptcy

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Nacon is facing serious financial difficulties and has effectively gone bankrupt. Now, the French video game union, Syndicat des Travailleureuses du Jeu Video, is criticizing the company because several of its studios are also in financial trouble. These studios include Spiders, the developers of GreedFall: The Dying Light; Cyanide, known for Styx: Blades of Greed; and Kylotonn, the team behind the WRC series – all of which have recently filed for insolvency.

The union claims Nacon’s management didn’t value video game development and, combined with their lack of skill, deliberately undermined its game studios.

The union stated that years of poor management and a lack of clear strategy at both the group and company levels have prevented studios from updating, streamlining, and improving. Despite spending tens of millions of euros – funds that should have guaranteed the studios’ financial health and job security – Nacon is now reporting a loss.

Quick fixes, such as halting hiring and raises for over a year, or pushing unproven technologies like ‘AI’ onto studios without a clear plan, won’t solve Nacon’s financial problems. Years of worsening work conditions and the creation of new studios seemingly designed to undermine existing ones have already proven to be ineffective and have actually worsened the situation, rather than reducing staff numbers effectively.

The video game workers’ union, Syndicat des Travailleureuses du Jeu Video, is demanding the removal of Nacon’s leadership. They are also calling for improvements to working conditions, including better tools and processes, and a plan to keep talented employees from leaving the company’s various studios.

Nacon filed for bankruptcy in February because its main owner, Bigben Interactive, couldn’t repay part of its loan. Bigben said its banks unexpectedly refused to cooperate. Nacon is asking for a quick and comprehensive financial overhaul, going beyond just a standard debt restructuring under the supervision of a court.

Earlier this week, reports surfaced that Nacon had stopped paying employees at Cyanide Studios, Spiders, and Kylotonn, impacting around 320 game developers. These studios were already undergoing a court-ordered restructuring as part of Nacon’s financial difficulties. Nacon has now officially confirmed that four of its companies – Spiders, Kylotonn, Cyanide, and motion capture firm Nacon Tech – have filed for bankruptcy with the Lille Métropole Commercial Court. Further information will be released as the legal process unfolds.

Nacon is facing insolvency after several unsuccessful game launches, most notably The Lord of the Rings: Gollum in 2023. The company also expanded by acquiring studios like Neopica, Midgar Studio, Ishtar Games, and Big Ant Studios. Poor reviews and sales for both Gollum and Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown likely played a significant role in its current financial difficulties.

Nacon has definitely released some popular games too. Recently, they published GreedFall: The Dying Light, and earlier this year they released Ravenswatch, a cooperative action game with roguelite elements.

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2026-03-25 18:42