The legendary video game designer/writer Chris Avellone (Fallout 2, Torment, KOTOR II, Alpha Protocol) has been removed from upcoming projects like Paradox Interactive’s Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2, Techland’s Dying Light 2 and Gato Salvaje Studio’s The Waylanders after multiple allegations of sexual assault, misconduct, and predatory behavior surfaced against him as part of the #MeToo movement.
https://twitter.com/SJBsMama/status/1274175397337411586
https://twitter.com/jacquicollins_/status/1274509359427383304
Avellone was chosen as one of the narrative designers by Techland, and also featured in the Microsoft conference when Dying Light 2 was announced at E3 2018. After an internal investigation following these allegations, Techland announced that they had decided to end their cooperation with the writer.
Here's the statement regarding our cooperation with Chris Avellone: pic.twitter.com/ozLXZdVPZw
— Techland (@TechlandGames) June 22, 2020
Avellone was employed at Gato Salvaje Studio as a design contractor for their upcoming RPG The Waylanders. His contract there was completed before the allegations came to light. The team has taken note of this matter and stands against such alleged behavior. Lead writer Emily Grace buck also responded by saying that they are open to feedback from the community.
The team here at Gato Salvaje spent the past few days reading the stories shared online and reflecting. We have prepared the following statement with regards to the allegations made against Chris Avellone. pic.twitter.com/GTPjJcXfOs
— Gato Studio (@GatoStudioGames) June 22, 2020
https://twitter.com/emilybuckshot/status/1274389752301498370
Publisher Paradox Interactive has also distanced itself from the writer. A representative informed Gamasutra that Chris briefly wrote for the game in its early development stage in March 2019 but now none of his contributions remain or will be used in the game. The company has not made any public comments on the allegations.
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