Scandal around Until Dawn: Sony is accused of not mentioning the game's creators in the film adaptation's credits
The film adaptation of the famous interactive horror game Until Dawn, released on 25 April, in addition to mixed reviews from critics, has caused another acute problem - the question of the proper attribution of the original source. According to the former narrative director of Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) Kim McAskill, Sony decided not to mention the team of writers and developers of the original game in the film's credits.
Here's What We Know
In an angry post on LinkedIn, McAskill expressed her outrage at the decision, comparing it to the situation when she herself was once denied credit for intellectual property she created, citing her fixed salary with no royalties or control.
"As a former narrative director at Sony Interactive Entertainment and PlayStation who was told explicitly that IP I personally created would NEVER be attributed to me because I was paid a salary (no royalties, no control, no ownership, no thanks), I struggle with the difference between the privileges of Neil Druckmann and others at your company," Kim McAskill wrote.
She also stressed that the film's credits included the director, screenwriters and others, but Sony did not mention the leading game developers who created this "iconic game", which the company is obviously proud of, limiting the wording to "based on a Sony game".
The original Until Dawn was written by Larry Fessenden and Graham Resnick, directed by Will Biles and Nick Bowen, and produced by Pete Samuel. None of these people, as well as many other members of the development team, were mentioned in the film's credits.
"They've been racking their brains for years to create something incredible, and the world DESERVES to know their names... and instead... Not a single mention. No thanks. No honour," McAskill said emotionally.
In conclusion, she asked a rhetorical question: "Why should IP creators continue to work for you? Film and television, which are grotesque at best, still recognise the need to celebrate the importance of authorship."
In addition, Kim McAskill initiated a petition addressed to Sony, demanding that the film's credits be updated to include the names of the original game's writers. At the time of the news publication, 143 people signed the petition.
Source: LinkedIn
