Video game developer Midnight Society, which is developing DEADROP, reportedly laid off nearly half of its staff less than three months after severing ties with streamer and personality Dr. Disrespect aka Guy Beahm.
Dr Disrespect via DrDisRespect on X
Midnight Society announced it was severing ties with Beahm at the end of June. The company wrote on X, “On Friday evening we became aware of an allegation against one of our co-founder’s Guy Beahm aka Dr Disrespect. We assumed his innocence and began speaking with parties involved. And in order to maintain our principles and standards as a studio and individuals, we needed to act. For this reason, we are terminating our relationship with Guy Beahm immediately.”
It then added, “While these facts are difficult to hear and even more difficult to accept, it is our duty to act with dignity on behalf of all individuals involved, especially the fifty-five developers and families we have employed along with our community of players.”
Midnight Society on X
Beahm responded to this statement writing on X, “Hello, I’d like to make a quick statement.. Lets cut the f***ing bulls**t, as you know there’s no filter with me. I’ve always been up front and real with you guys on anything that I can be up front about, and I’m always willing to accept responsibility… which is why I’m here now.”
“First and foremost I do want to apologize to everyone in my community as well as those close to me, my team, and everyone at Midnight Society Game Studio,” he stated. “A lot of people have been left in the dark about what happened yesterday with midnight society and I, and we made the painful decision collectively, to have me step down. Our team is full of incredibly talented and good people that have high career ambitions and families and i’d never want jeopardize the culture we have carefully crafted.”
Dr Disrespect via Dr Disrespect on YouTube
Beahm continued, “Everyone has been wanting to know why I was banned from twitch, but for reasons outside of my control, I was not allowed to say anything for the last several years. Now that two former twitch employees have publicly disclosed the accusations, I can now tell you my side of the story regarding the ban.”
Dr. Disrespect on X
“Were there twitch whisper messages with an individual minor back in 2017? The answer is yes. Were there real intentions behind these messages, the answer is absolutely not,” he declared. “These were casual, mutual conversations that sometimes leaned too much in the direction of being inappropriate, but nothing more. Nothing illegal happened, no pictures were shared, no crimes were committed, I never even met the individual. I went through a lengthy arbitration regarding a civil dispute with twitch and that case was resolved by a settlement. Let me be clear, it was not a criminal case against me and no criminal charges have ever been brought against me.”
He then stated, “Now, from a moral standpoint I’ll absolutely take responsibility. I should have never entertained these conversations to begin with. That’s on me. That’s on me as an adult, a husband and a father. It should have never happened. I get it. I’m not perfect and I’ll f***ing own my s**t. This was stupid.”
Dr Disrespect via Dr Disrespect on YouTube
He continued, “I’ve seen all the remarks and labels being throw around so loosely. Social media is a destruction zone.” Beathm denied the most provocative allegations. “Are you kidding me? Anyone that truely knows me f***king knows where I stand on those things with those types of people. F*** that. That’s a different level of disgust that I f***ing hate even hearing about. Don’t be labeling me as the worst of the worst with your exaggerations. Get the f***k outta here with that sh*t,” he declared.
“But I think I’ve said what I needed to say regarding the ban itself. That’s it. That’s why twitch made the decision in 2020,” he asserted.
Dr. Disrespect on X
Beahm then apologized again, “To my team, community, industry friends that have supported me, I apologize, I wish I could’ve said all this sooner. You guys have always showed me and my family love and support throughout all these years we love you guys like you can’t imagine. I have the f***ing best community and circle. If any of this has made you uncomfortable, I get it. You don’t have to support me anymore but just know you have always been greatly appreciated. ”
He added, “But trust me when I say this…to all my haters that live and breath social media with zero real life experience, I don’t give a f*** about you.”
Dr Disrespect via Dr Disrespect on YouTube
He then concluded, “Finally, if you’re uncomfortable with this entire statement and think I’m a piece of s**t, that’s fine. But I’m not f***ing going anywhere. I’m not the same guy that made this mistake all those years ago. I’m taking an extended vacation with my family as mentioned on stream and I’m coming back with a heavy weight off my shoulders.”
“They want me to disappear… yeah f***ing right,” Beahm finished.
Dr. Disrespect on X
Now, less than three months later, Midnight Society founder Robert Bowling announced significant layoffs to the company. He wrote, “Unfortunately, and 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.”
He added, “These measures, while difficult, are designed to strengthen our foundation and renew focus on our core mission. Despite these challenges, we remain dedicated to launching DEADROP in 2025.”
Next, Bowling stated, “We’ll be sharing our revised plans and milestones in the near future, and we thank you for your continued faith in our vision. We wouldn’t be here without the contributions of those who are affected and we thank them for all their incredible work, support them, and wish them the best. In the meantime, if there are any questions I can answer for you please let me know and I’ll do my best to address them.”
The new founders tests in @DEADROP are SO much fun. I wish it was open to play all the time 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/iyaQi5oie8
— Kyroh (@Kyroh) July 25, 2024
X user JOK5RR, who shared the message from Bowling indicated that “roughly 50% of the development team at Midnight Society were laid off. “
He added, “This was unexpected and crushing to see for those of us in the community. Obviously, the studio has been through a lot due to the recent drama surrounding Doc.”
On Friday, roughly 50% of the development team at Midnight Society were laid off. This was unexpected and crushing to see for those of us in the community. Obviously, the studio has been through a lot due to the recent drama surrounding Doc.
Today, Rob Bowling gave us an update… pic.twitter.com/eF2boJyKwn
— JOK5RR (@JOK5RR) September 10, 2024
What do you make of the company allegedly laying off over 50% of its development team less than three months after splitting ways with Beahm?
