Former Lab Zero employees form independent studio Future Club

The Future is Now

Recommended Videos

A team of former Lab Zero Games employees have come together to form a brand new, independently owned studio. Future Club has been born out of the ashes of the Lab Zero controversy, which saw a huge exodus of staff after multiple accusations of sexual harassment and toxic behavior against Lab Zero head Mike Zaimont.

Future Club is headed up by CEO/Producer Francesca Esquenazi, who will lead a team comprised of creative director Mariel “Kinuko” Cartwright, senior animator Jonathan Kim and game designer Earl Gertwagen. In all, Future Club’s staff consists of 15 former Lab Zero employees, some of whom worked on 2012’s excellent fighting title Skullgirls and 2019’s aesthetically fantastic RPG, Indivisible.

“We wanted to start fresh with a company structure that was worker-owned and gave everyone a say in the future of our organization,” said Esquenazi on the studio’s new site. “Future Club is established with the belief that strong teams are greater than the sum of their parts. We value open, honest communication with peers, partners and players, and take pride in our strength as a team.”

Future Club will now begin producing games based on its own original IPs. Given the team’s pedigree for creating engaging titles filled with beautiful locations, instantly lovable characters, and emotionally resonant narratives, this new studio is definitely one to watch in the next generation of gaming. I’m already excited for their first project!


Destructoid is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more
related content
Read Article Helldivers 2 players receive Quasar Cannon and Heavy Machine Gun Stratagems to support Automaton obliteration
helldivers 2 heavy machine gun HMG quasar cannon stratagems unlocked
Read Article The Witcher 4 development is forging ahead at CD Projekt Red
The Witcher 4 update
Read Article Bungie reveals Into the Light weapons are time-gated and Destiny 2 players aren’t happy
Related Content
Read Article Helldivers 2 players receive Quasar Cannon and Heavy Machine Gun Stratagems to support Automaton obliteration
helldivers 2 heavy machine gun HMG quasar cannon stratagems unlocked
Read Article The Witcher 4 development is forging ahead at CD Projekt Red
The Witcher 4 update
Read Article Bungie reveals Into the Light weapons are time-gated and Destiny 2 players aren’t happy
Author
Chris Moyse
Senior Editor - Chris has been playing video games since the 1980s and writing about them since the 1880s. Graduated from Galaxy High with honors. Twitter: @ChrisxMoyse