Gunzilla Faces Payment Controversy Amid Contractor Complaints
Gunzilla, the studio known for its extraction shooter “Off The Grid” and the revival of the iconic magazine Game Informer, is currently caught in a storm of controversy over unpaid contractor bills. Recent allegations from insiders suggest that the studio has been struggling to meet its financial obligations, with one report highlighting a staggering unpaid amount exceeding $100,000.
In response to these claims, Gunzilla’s CEO, Vlad Korolev, attempted to downplay the situation, stating that salaries for full-time employees have never been delayed by more than a week. However, sources within the company revealed a different story, indicating that a significant portion of Gunzilla’s workforce, particularly at its Ukraine office, consists of contractors who have reportedly gone without pay for months.
Even in high-ranking positions, individuals like Anna Savina, who previously served as head of talent acquisition, were working on a contract basis. Following Korolev’s comments about a recently finished contractor receiving immediate payment, Savina indicated that she, too, had been left unpaid until her departure from the company earlier this month.
It doesn’t end there; Gunzilla is also in debt to various service providers. A marketing firm contracted in 2024 claims it’s owed over $100,000 for services rendered, with Gunzilla allegedly making numerous promises to settle the debt, none of which have materialized. The firm began warning Gunzilla about payment issues in early 2025, and despite sending a formal demand letter by the end of that year, no payments have been made to date.
Legal troubles are also encroaching on Gunzilla, with its UK division facing a winding-up petition intended to liquidate the company due to its inability to settle debts. This petition was filed by The Vertex Guild, an asset development studio. Another petition was briefly filed by HM Revenue and Customs, supported by a media publishing entity, but it was retracted after Gunzilla finally paid off some of its obligations.
Contractors have begun to share their experiences, shedding light on the emotional and financial toll these delays have taken. Technical animator Akhil Chinnabathini expressed his frustration after waiting six months without pay, attributing his situation to unmet promises from company leadership. He shared the anxiety that such uncertainty creates, not just for him but for many in similar positions.
Marko Dijan, a lighting artist who worked with Gunzilla for nearly two years, revealed that he has three unpaid invoices dating back to August 2025. Despite receiving repeated assurances that payment was imminent, he found himself compelled to speak out after the CEO dismissed concerns as the ramblings of “haters.” When he attempted to clarify his situation in a comment, his message was deleted, and he was blocked—prompting him to question the company’s transparency.
Attempts to reach Gunzilla for further comment on these allegations have gone unanswered, leaving many to wonder about the studio’s future in light of these payment controversies.