Gunzilla Games under fire over payment disputes

Gunzilla Games, the developer behind the popular NFT video game Off The Grid, has recently faced allegations from former and current employees over unpaid wages. The claims have sparked growing controversy around the company’s financial practices. Founded in 2020, Gunzilla now employs more than 200 people across its offices in London, Kyiv, and Frankfurt.

About Gunzilla Games

Gunzilla was founded with the ambition of delivering innovative gaming experiences, with a strong focus on blockchain technology and NFT integrations. The company’s debut game, Off The Grid, launched on consoles in October 2024 and on PC in July 2025. The battle royale shooter has drawn plenty of attention in the gaming community, especially for its unique gameplay and crypto elements.

Payment issues come to light

In April 2026, several employees began anonymously voicing concerns on platforms such as LinkedIn, saying they had gone months without receiving pay. Anna Savina, a former employee, said she was missing several months of wages after three years at Gunzilla. Other workers, including former Senior Visual Effects Animator Paul Creamer, reported similar experiences, also claiming they had gone months without payment.

Gunzilla CEO Vlad Korolev has publicly responded to the allegations, framing the situation as a campaign by “haters” trying to damage the company’s reputation. Korolev stressed that the delays mainly affect contractors, not full-time employees, who he said have always been paid on time.

Gunzilla’s response

In a statement on social media, Korolev acknowledged that cash flow issues can sometimes prevent payments from being made on schedule. He said this is common in today’s games industry and that Gunzilla is trying not to disrupt operations. He also claimed the company has never been more than a week late paying full-time staff.

Still, uncertainty remains. Employees continue to push for clarity on when back pay will arrive, and Korolev has not provided concrete answers about how many contractors are affected or when payments will be made.

Impact on Gunzilla’s future

The allegations come at a critical time for Gunzilla, which relaunched Game Informer in March 2025 after GameStop shut it down. That move was presented as a stabilizing force in gaming media. Now, with the latest payment concerns, questions are being raised about the long-term stability of both Gunzilla and its newest title, Off The Grid.

Reportedly, the game has never surpassed 20,000 concurrent players on Steam, raising further doubts about its overall popularity and viability in the crowded battle royale market.

The situation at Gunzilla Games continues to develop, and with growing concerns over financial stability, it remains unclear what the future holds for the company and its projects.