French Union Accuses Nacon of Intentionally Shutting Down Spiders

The French union, Le Syndicat des Travailleureuses du Jeu Vidéo, has condemned Nacon's decision to close Spiders, labeling it a 'deliberate and premeditated choice'. This move has prompted the union to call for a boycott of the company. The controversy began in March when Nacon initiated a court-supervised restructuring process to address its debt, leading to the insolvency of four subsidiaries, including Spiders. According to the union, 71 workers have been impacted by the decision. The official reason given for the liquidation was the studio's lack of profitability and the absence of a takeover offer. However, the union argues that Nacon's actions were intentional, citing the company's control over Spiders as its owner, president, and sole client since its acquisition in 2019. The union claims that Spiders was denied royalties on games developed after GreedFall, with Nacon seizing the studio's income and liquid assets. The cancellation of project Dark last year allegedly marked the beginning of the end for the studio, which had no contract ensuring its survival beyond the release of GreedFall 2. The union further accuses Nacon of refusing to sign a new contract, preventing Spiders from seeking other publishers and investors, and mismanaging the studio. This mismanagement, according to the union, included ignoring warnings from worker representatives about the company's economic situation and strategy. In August 2024, Spiders workers went on strike, demanding greater transparency, simpler organizational structure, guarantees for remote work, and improved working conditions. Although Spiders' leadership later announced an audit of working conditions, confirmed salary increases, and guaranteed remote work, the union believes Nacon's actions ultimately led to the studio's demise.