The gaming industry was rocked when former Deck Nine toxic workplace allegations surfaced, painting a disturbing picture of the studio behind beloved games like Life is Strange: True Colors. What started as whispers from disgruntled employees has evolved into a comprehensive investigation revealing systematic issues at one of gaming’s most celebrated studios.
The Deck Nine Toxic Workplace Allegations Unfold
In early 2024, a damning report emerged featuring testimony from over a dozen current and former Deck Nine employees. These brave individuals came forward to expose what they described as a culture of toxicity, harassment, and administrative negligence that stood in stark contrast to the inclusive values promoted by the Life is Strange franchise.
The allegations paint a picture of a studio where hate speech, sexual harassment, and bullying were allowed to fester for months without meaningful intervention from senior management. Perhaps most troubling was the revelation that these issues persisted at a studio responsible for creating games celebrated for their diversity and inclusion.
Senior Leadership Under Fire
Former Chief Creative Officer Zak Garriss became a central figure in many of the complaints. Multiple employees accused him of crossing personal boundaries with female staff members and creating a hostile environment for the narrative team. The situation became so problematic that employees eventually flagged his behavior to management.
What makes this particularly concerning is that Garriss oversaw the creative direction of games meant to represent marginalized communities. Sources claimed he was particularly antagonistic toward team members “fighting for more thoughtful, authentic, or sensitive portrayals of diverse characters.”
The Programming Department Problems
The investigation revealed issues beyond the creative leadership. An unnamed senior programmer allegedly made sexist remarks and crude jokes with racial and sexual connotations. According to sources, this individual’s behavior was known to management but went unaddressed for extended periods.
The programmer was eventually terminated, but only after an incident where he reportedly screamed at an HR representative. This delayed response pattern became a recurring theme throughout the allegations.
Hidden Hate Speech in Game Assets
Perhaps one of the most shocking revelations involved the discovery of inappropriate content hidden within game assets. Employees discovered that a staff member had allegedly embedded hate speech, offensive memes, and problematic imagery into a new Life is Strange game.
Despite employee complaints, these assets reportedly remained unchanged for months. When management finally investigated, they determined it was “not an intentional action,” though they later hired a law firm to investigate further.
Square Enix’s Role in the Toxicity
The publisher Square Enix didn’t escape criticism in the investigation. Deck Nine employees described their contacts at Square Enix London as “bullies” who put excessive pressure on the development team. This external toxicity allegedly began seeping into Deck Nine’s internal environment.
Sources also claimed that Square Enix was hostile to diverse themes in the Life is Strange series, with multiple developers alleging that the publisher “didn’t want the Life is Strange series to be thought of as a ‘gay game'” despite the franchise’s reputation for LGBTQ+ representation.
The Human Cost of Corporate Dysfunction
Beyond the specific incidents, the investigation revealed a broader pattern of crunch culture and poor working conditions. Employees described working under tight deadlines with inadequate budgets, creating a pressure cooker environment that exacerbated existing tensions.
The studio has also faced multiple rounds of layoffs, cutting approximately 30 employees in May 2023, 20% of remaining staff in early 2024, and additional undisclosed numbers in December 2024. These cuts have reportedly worsened morale and working conditions for remaining employees.
Management Response and Current Status
Deck Nine’s official response emphasized their commitment to “championing diversity and telling stories from historically underrepresented groups.” CEO Mark Lyons pledged to implement hate speech policies and annual training, though sources indicated these promises had not been fulfilled months after the initial commitments.
The company stated they investigate misconduct allegations “as quickly and effectively as possible,” though employee testimony suggests otherwise. The gap between public statements and internal reality has become a central theme in the ongoing criticism.
Industry Impact and Future Implications
The Deck Nine revelations have joined a growing list of gaming industry workplace scandals, highlighting systemic issues across the sector. The case is particularly notable because it involves a studio whose games explicitly promote inclusive values while allegedly failing to maintain those standards internally.
Current employees report that trust between the development team and leadership remains damaged, though work on future Life is Strange projects continues. The long-term impact on both the studio’s reputation and the beloved franchise remains to be seen.
Frequently Asked Questions
What specific allegations were made against Deck Nine Games?
Former employees alleged sexual harassment, bullying, transphobia, hate speech, and toxic leadership that went unaddressed by management for extended periods. Specific incidents included inappropriate behavior from senior staff and hidden offensive content in game assets.
Who was Zak Garriss and what was his role in the controversy?
Zak Garriss was Deck Nine’s former Chief Creative Officer who faced multiple allegations of crossing personal boundaries with female staff and creating a hostile work environment, particularly for team members advocating for authentic diverse representation in games.
How did Square Enix contribute to the toxic workplace culture?
Employees described Square Enix contacts as “bullies” who put excessive pressure on the development team. The publisher was also accused of being hostile to diverse themes in Life is Strange games and not wanting the series to be perceived as a “gay game.”
What happened to the employee who hid hate speech in game assets?
The investigation determined it was “not an intentional action,” but Deck Nine later hired a law firm to investigate the incident further. The specific consequences for the employee involved were not disclosed.
Has Deck Nine implemented the promised workplace reforms?
According to sources, CEO Mark Lyons pledged to implement hate speech policies and annual training, but these commitments had not been fulfilled months after they were made.
How have the layoffs affected the remaining Deck Nine staff?
The studio cut approximately 30 employees in May 2023, 20% of remaining staff in early 2024, and additional undisclosed numbers in December 2024. These layoffs have reportedly worsened morale and working conditions for remaining employees.
Is Deck Nine still working on Life is Strange games?
Yes, production on future Life is Strange projects continues despite the workplace issues, though current employees report that trust between the development team and leadership remains damaged.
Looking Forward: Lessons for the Gaming Industry
The Deck Nine toxic workplace revelations serve as a stark reminder that corporate values and internal culture don’t always align. For an industry that increasingly champions diversity and inclusion in its products, these allegations highlight the critical importance of maintaining those same standards in the workplace.
As the gaming industry continues to grapple with systemic workplace issues, the Deck Nine case stands as both a cautionary tale and a call to action. Real change requires more than public commitments – it demands consistent action, accountability, and a genuine commitment to creating safe, inclusive work environments for all employees.