Midnight Society lays off staff following Dr Disrespect controversy
Midnight Society continues to struggle to distance itself from Dr Disrespect as the DEADROP developer is hit with mass layoffs.
10th Sep 2024 11:55
Images via Dr Disrespect | Midnight Society
Midnight Society lays off staff following Dr Disrespect controversy
Midnight Society continues to struggle to distance itself from Dr Disrespect as the DEADROP developer is hit with mass layoffs.
10th Sep 2024 11:55
Images via Dr Disrespect | Midnight Society
The Dr Disrespect scandal is picking up pace once again, and after the controversial content creator appeared to be lying low, he's now back and all over our timelines again. While Dr Disrespect (real name Herschel "Guy" Beahm IV) is trying to continue with business as usual, shockwaves are still being felt.
Notably, developer Midnight Society (co-founded by Beahm) has been hit with mass layoffs in the wake of Dr Disrespect being accused of engaging in inappropriate messages with a minor on Twitch. Dr Disrespect was permanently banned from Twitch in June 2020, and although the reasons were never disclosed, the above allegations surfaced in June 2024.
Midnight Society confirms massive layoff of staff
Although Midnight Society is still supposed to be releasing DEADROP, there are further doubts that the game will ever arrive. Some questioned whether the title was even legitimate due to using NFTs as a foundation, but now, it's been reported that around 50% of Midnight Society's development team have been let go.
Posting on the Midnight Society’s Discord server, studio co-founder Robert "fourzerotwo" Bowling broke the news and wrote, "As most of you know, we have faced multiple unexpected challenges in recent months.
"To adapt to these changes and secure the future of Midnight Society, DEADROP, and our commitment to providing innovative gaming experiences, we’ve made the tough decision to streamline our operations, which includes a significant workforce reduction."
Still, Bowling remains confident that DEADROP will still hit its planned 2025 release date, with the team reportedly revising its roadmap plans. Unfortunately for Midnight Studio, it's stuck between a rock and a hard place, with many in the replies standing by Dr Disrespect and chastising the developer for parting ways with him.
As for Dr Disrespect, the community is still reeling from the situation. Fellow streamer Nick "NICKMERCS" Kolcheff stands by what he said about his former friend in a charged tweet, while others like Benjamin "DrLupo" Lupo continue to call Beahm out for attempting to return to the scene.
The Midnight Society site states that it's "a game studio focused on community first, open and transparent development, and delivering the world's first Vertical Extraction Shooter." However, that looks a lot less likely given the latest update. Although Midnight Society has said that Dr Disrespect was only ever attached as an 'influencer', it's a legacy the developer is clearly struggling to get away from.
About The Author
Tom Chapman
Tom is Trending News Editor at GGRecon, with an NCTJ qualification in Broadcast Journalism and over seven years of experience writing about film, gaming, and television. With bylines at IGN, Digital Spy, Den of Geek, and more, Tom’s love of horror means he's well-versed in all things Resident Evil, with aspirations to be the next Chris Redfield.
