Game Developers Take Aim at Controversial Figure with Cheeky Billboard at GDC 2025
GDC 2025: A Platform for Game Developers to Showcase Upcoming Games
With GDC 2025 underway in San Francisco, game developers are taking the opportunity to promote their upcoming games. One team, Raccoon Logic, has sparked curiosity with a cheeky billboard directed at a controversial figure.
A Satirical Billboard
Placed in San Francisco’s Union Square, the billboard features the enlarged head of Gunther Harrison, CEO of Alta Interglobal in the upcoming game Revenge of the Savage Planet. However, the ad’s message appears to be a satirical reference to a different Harrison. The billboard asks, "Have YOU been fired by this man?! We know how it feels. So we took out a billboard in downtown San Francisco."
A Personal Connection to the Controversial Figure
Those in town for GDC 2025 will likely recall Phil Harrison, the former head of Google’s Stadia cloud gaming service. He was responsible for many layoffs, including the Savage Planet team, when he shut down Stadia Games & Entertainment in 2021. The moment was particularly cutting for the devs at Typhoon Games, which Google bought in 2019. They found themselves out of work on the very same day that their game, Journey to the Savage Planet, launched as an exclusive game for Stadia.
The Story Behind the Billboard
After leaving Stadia, Typhoon Games became Raccoon Logic with the help of investment from China’s Tencent, and it bought back the Savage Planet rights. The upcoming Revenge of the Savage Planet suggests they haven’t forgiven Harrison, who left Google in 2023 after the complete closure of Stadia in 2022.
The Billboard’s Message and Promotional Site
The billboard includes a QR code that leads to a promotional site for the game, displaying the message, "We got fired by him as well!" The site pledges to make a donation to the Canadian Mental Health Association for every person who scans the billboard and visits the site.
Conclusion
Raccoon Logic’s cheeky billboard at GDC 2025 has sparked curiosity among game developers and attendees alike. The satirical reference to Phil Harrison and the personal connection to the controversy surrounding Stadia’s closure has generated a lot of buzz around the upcoming game, Revenge of the Savage Planet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who is Phil Harrison?
A: Phil Harrison is the former head of Google’s Stadia cloud gaming service, responsible for many layoffs, including the Savage Planet team.
Q: What is the connection between Raccoon Logic and Phil Harrison?
A: Raccoon Logic, the developer of Revenge of the Savage Planet, was once Typhoon Games, which was acquired by Google in 2019. They were laid off when Stadia Games & Entertainment was shut down in 2021.
Q: What is the release date for Revenge of the Savage Planet?
A: Revenge of the Savage Planet will be released on May 8th.
Q: What is the purpose of the billboard and promotional site?
A: The billboard and promotional site are designed to generate buzz around the game and raise awareness about the struggles faced by game developers, including layoffs and career changes.
