Dynasty Loop Staff Claims Unpaid Wages Totaling $2 Million

Montreal-based independent game developer Dynasty Loop is facing allegations of neglecting to pay its staff for several months, leaving the affected workers uncertain about their employment status. According to reports from Polygon, the studio owes around 20 employees and external contractors over $2 million in unpaid wages, bonuses, and expenses. The affected individuals have been asked to return their work equipment and have been denied access to the company's office space. Despite being told they have not been laid off, the workers have received no indication of when they can expect to receive their owed payments or be assigned new tasks. Founded in 2020 and led by CEO Rania Oueslati, Dynasty Loop is currently working on a mix of unannounced video games and NFT projects. The payment issues initially arose in late last year when Oueslati and management informed staff that November payments would be delayed due to a change in the company's financial software. Most employees did not receive their payments until January and had to rely on their savings to get through the holiday season. According to Polygon's sources, no one has received payment since then. In late February, management instructed staff to return all equipment to the office, but claimed this was not a layoff. Staff were later informed that the company's funds had been frozen indefinitely by the Canadian government, with management citing Oueslati's immigration status as the reason. Around the same time, management proposed a 'lien agreement' between Oueslati and staff, promising that those who signed would receive payment when the funds became available, but would have to wait up to six months before taking legal action or filing complaints with Montreal's Commission on Workplace Standards, Fairness, Health, and Safety. Staff were given a two-day deadline to sign the agreement, but it was later revealed that the lien agreement would not be registered, and all those who signed were released from the deal. Oueslati is reportedly no longer communicating directly with staff, instead directing them to her lawyer. When Polygon attempted to contact Oueslati for comment, they were also referred to the lawyer, who has yet to respond.