Quantic Dream suing French news outlets after reports of ‘inappropriate behaviour’

Developer of Heavy Rain and the upcoming Detroit: Become Human, Quantic Dream, is allegedly suing members of the French media, according to a report by Kotaku. This comes after three news outlets reported on the studio’s “toxic studio culture”, “dubious contract practices” and “inappropriate behaviour”. Now it seems Quantic Dream’s founder and consistently contentious industry figure, David Cage, seems to be fighting back against two of the three sites that worked together to report the scandal, Le Monde and Mediapart. Canard PC is apparently not yet involved.

This news comes from Kotaku’s Jason Schreier, who stumbled on the info while he was in Paris promoting his book. Cage confirmed that he was “suing their journalists” at a New York press event for Detroit. Who would have thought either promotional event would get this much coverage.

A journalist for Le Monde, William Audureau, told Schreier that “the story has been written sincerely, following a well-documented, thorough investigation, respectful of the principle that both sides must be heard. We stick with our information.” Meanwhile, a writer for Mediaport confirmed separately that their outlet was also involved. A Canard PC representative, however, states that they “have not been informed of any lawsuit against Canard PC.”

No doubt this isn’t the last we’ll hear of the case, which will hopefully either result in a change of its behaviour or clear Quantic Dream’s name. Homophobic, racist and abusive behaviour has no place anywhere, especially a creative environment like a games studio. Whatever happens here, the industry will be watching.