Quantic Dream labels claims of toxic conditions as "smear campaign" UPDATE: Council of Paris investigating public funds awarded to studio, and considering tighter regulations for companies that do not care for staff

James Batchelor UK Editor Wednesday 7th February 2018 Share this article Share

Companies in this article Quantic Dream

Detroit: Become Human developer Quantic Dream has once again disputed accusations of a toxic studio campaign.

The claims emerged earlier this year via three French newspapers, claiming that the 'schoolboy' atmosphere at the company regularly results in homophobic or racist remarks, as well as inappropriate conduct towards women.

At the time Quantic Dream denied all of this, and has reiterated that stance with a fresh statement, translated by our sister site Eurogamer.

"We categorically refute the allegations against the studio, its employees, its leaders," the statement reads. "We hope that these unfounded attacks and the propagation of completely erroneous information resulting from it will cease in order to protect our employees."

The studio said it has been the subject of a "veritable smear campaign" by numerous media outlets, claiming the original stories are based solely on "slanderous remarks whose reliability and origin of the source raise questions."

It also restated that "to date, we have not heard of any complaints of harassment and discrimination."

The statement does note that two employees who made claims against the company at the Industrial Court in 2017 were dismissed last month, with a third judgement on the case currently in dispute.

"Several other legal actions are also underway to defend the reputation of our studio and to save the jobs of a French SME in the forefront in its field," the studio concludes. "We are confident in justice and hope that it can be decided quickly, in a calm and peaceful atmosphere."

UPDATE: PCGamesInsider.biz has learned the Council of Paris is investigating how much Quantic Dream has received in funding.

The organisation may also use this precedent to introduce stricter regulations on which companies can receive public funding and how much they will be awarded based on whether or not they are looking after their staff.

Any companies in breach of these regulations would have to return any public funds received.