TWENTY-FIVE SNAKES POUR OUT YOUR EYES 
https://x.com/Wario64/status/1834348465788178797
The entire staff of Annapurna Interactive resigned this month following a dispute with its owner.
— Wario64 (@Wario64) September 12, 2024
"A spokesperson for Annapurna confirmed that it had explored a spinoff and said the parties failed to reach an agreement, which led to the resignations."
"The spokesperson said… pic.twitter.com/yelq4Sr3r4
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I barely understand what a video game publisher does these days
Video game developer makes the games
Publisher used to publish floppy diskettes and compact discs and distribute them to Electronics Boutique, Circuit City, etc
Now there is no disc, Steam, Epic, or console store distributes directly via download
But still there is a publisher in between the developer and Steam
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My guess is they pay the developer studio to make the game in the first place, so they can pay their developers while the work is being done
Then the publisher makes their money back with interest when the game actually goes on sale
Or else they eat the developer studio
Basically they're loan sharks
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Why you guessing, that's just objectively what they do.
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Publishers will also provide all the marketing, quality assurance and customer support for the game.
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That's all developers can do though. Make games.
You need someone with interesting ideas, a vision and money to tell the basement dwelling neurodivergents what to do.
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I think they're the ones who hire the Indians and Bangladeshis to shill the game on forums? Not totally certain on that.
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They provide funding, just like they've always done. In exchange for funding, they are allowed to exert some amount of creative control over the game to ensure profit. Very simple stuff.
Video game development isn't free after all
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