Gone Home Co-Creator Resigns Over “Toxic” Workplace Reports

Steve Gaynor, the co-founder of Went home Developer Fullbright, has given up his position as creative lead and manager for their latest game Open roads according to allegations, he promoted a “toxic” work environment.

Earlier today, Open roads’ The Twitter account posted the following message, which only stated that “We are … ardent supporters of promoting a healthy and collaborative work environment” and that Gaynor “has stepped down from his role as creative director and manager.”

Shortly thereafter, Polygon reported in much more detail about the departure, say that since the development of Open roads

The report also states that 10 of the 12 employees who left were women and that Gaynor left his position back in March, “after it became clear that the steps that had already been taken to improve his interaction with the team were only still “were with temporary results.” A former employee “in a management position” said Polygon that “Working for him often felt like working for a mean high school girl. His preferred weapon was to laugh at people’s opinions and embarrass them in front of other people. “

While accusations– and the revelation that steps have already been taken to “improve his interactions with the team” – are substantial, Gaynor has not left the company or development of the game. Instead, he will “move into a writer role,” where he will remain as one of six people still working on the game at Fullbright.

Fullbright released the critically acclaimed Went home in 2014, followed by Tacoma in 2017. Open roads should appear in 2021.

Update 8/4/2021 9:37 p.m. ET: Gaynor made a statement that reads:

Hi, everyone. I want to make a statement about my role at Fullbright. I stepped down from my role as the creative director at Open Roads earlier this year. My leadership style was hurtful to people who worked at Fullbright and I really apologize for that.

Taking a step back has given me the space and perspective to see how my role needs to change and how to learn and improve as part of a team, including working with a seasoned business consultant and rethinking my relationship with work at Fullbright.

Open Roads and the Fullbright Team are very important to me. I’m sad to have stepped back from Open Roads daily development, but it was the right thing. The Open Roads team has my full confidence and support as they complete the game.