Gunzilla Games CEO Admits Contractor Payment Delays Amid Mounting Criticism Over Missed Wages

Gunzilla Games CEO Vlad Korolev has publicly addressed multiple allegations of unpaid contractors, confirming some payments were delayed to suit the company’s cash flow needs, while apologising for any inconvenience caused.

The blockchain game studio Gunzilla Games, developer of the NFT-based battle royale Off The Grid and blockchain platform Gunz, is facing escalating claims from former contractors regarding delayed or missed payments. On April 9, 2026, company CEO Vlad Korolev took to X to defend the studio, stating that although “some payments may be scheduled in a way that works for the company’s cash flow,” he insists, “we honour every obligation.”

Gunzilla Faces Accusations from Contractors and Ex-Staff Over Non-Payment

The controversy began earlier in the week when Paul Creamer, a VFX, cinematic, and gameplay animator who contracted with Gunzilla for a year, posted on LinkedIn: “Gunzilla Games has not paid its employees for many months but still expects them to work. I have personally not been paid since October 2025. Some have had their pay delayed even longer.”

His claims were supported by comments from numerous other former Gunzilla contractors, all alleging overdue compensation for completed work. Creamer further described assurances from management that payments would be resolved as temporary “growing pains” and, referencing Korolev directly, wrote: “In December the CEO himself (Vlad Korolev) had a call with my department where he promised us that invoices would be paid as soon as possible, that the company was profitable and that we were all doing the right thing by keeping quiet and continuing to work. He was not being truthful, and now the company ignores our questions and removes our posts about what’s going on, trying to silence us.”

Creamer concluded his post: “I know I will never recover these lost wages; the damage is done. Gunzilla will get away with this without repercussion. This will happen again and again without end. Artists will continue to be taken advantage of, our passions will be continually exploited.”

Korolev’s Response: Payment Schedule, Accusations of ‘FUD’ and Claims of Success

Responding to the mounting criticism, Vlad Korolev issued a lengthy public statement, framing many of the allegations as coordinated attempts by “haters” to damage Gunzilla’s reputation:

“Off The Grid today is not just part of web3 gaming – it defines it, whether some people like it or not. Being named Web3 Game of the Year two years in a row. Today there is a new narrative from haters – that Gunzilla incorrectly laid off contractors or paid them with delays. Yes, we are optimising costs – like every company in gaming, crypto, and tech is doing right now. We have been doing this for over a year. And yes, to not disrupt company operations, some payments may be scheduled in a way that works for the company’s cash flow – not always for everyone individually. That’s the reality of the world we live in.”

Korolev stressed that full-time, official employees have “never been delayed by more than a week“ in six years, distinguishing their situation from that of contractors. He continued: “But to protect the interests of our players and our full-time official employees – whose salaries, over 6 years, have never been delayed by more than a week – we operate at a pace that ensures the company continues moving forward. And of course, we honour every obligation.”

Despite defending Gunzilla’s payment structure, Korolev included a direct apology: “We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.”

He also claimed, “It’s also worth noting that one of the loudest voices – a contractor who finished working with us just a week ago – was repaid immediately. Off the Grid has been live for over 1.5 years, and we’re still here – despite how much some people would love to see otherwise. Sorry, we won’t be giving you that privilege.”

Addressing those criticising the studio’s performance, Korolev argued that scepticism is misplaced and accused some of spreading “fear, uncertainty, and doubt” (FUD): “While people who have never played OTG and have never built a business sit and spread FUD to farm a few views… targeting the biggest web3 game ever created, a game that represents not only itself but the entire web3 gaming industry in front of traditional gaming…”

While people who have never played OTG and have never built a business sit and spread FUD to farm a few views — targeting the biggest web3 game ever created, a game that represents not only itself but the entire web3 gaming industry in front of traditional gaming — we will keep…

— Vlad Korolev (@VladK133) April 9, 2026

Korolev also announced that a live dashboard showing Off The Grid’s player growth could be made available for a fee: “Every single day, 3,000 new players join Off the Grid. And for those still spreading FUD – we’re happy to set up a live dashboard so you can see every new player joining in real time. Access will cost you 100k GUN – so you can finally put real weight behind your words.” At the time, 100,000 GUN tokens equated to approximately $1,700 USD.

Gunzilla’s Current Position: Successes, Criticisms, and Ongoing Scrutiny

Off The Grid has now been live for over 18 months, and the company asserts it has added 3,000 new players daily, though this figure cannot be independently verified without access to the offered dashboard. Studio co-founder and chief creative officer Neill Blomkamp (known for films such as District 9 and Chappie) remains attached to the firm, which continues to position itself as a leader in web3 gaming.

Despite being named “Web3 Game of the Year” for two consecutive years, Gunzilla’s reputation is under pressure from credible reports of missed or delayed payments to numerous contractors. Korolev did not provide clear details on when outstanding balances would be resolved for existing claimants or back up claims of operational profitability, instead focusing on continued growth and the importance of cost optimisation. Gunzilla Games stated: “We honour every obligation.” However, the company stopped short of committing to a repayment timeline for contractors currently awaiting funds.

Summary:

• Multiple contractors allege Gunzilla Games failed to pay them for months, with some claims dating from October 2025 onward.
• CEO Vlad Korolev confirmed: “Some payments may be scheduled in a way that works for the company’s cash flow – not always for everyone individually.”
• Full-time official employees have “never been delayed by more than a week” in six years, according to Korolev.
• Korolev apologised: “We apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused.”
• Creamer and others allege the company’s management was not truthful about resolving payment delays and tried to suppress public complaints.
• Gunzilla claims 3,000 new players join Off The Grid daily, but it offered player data only for a fee of 100,000 GUN cryptocurrency (~$1,700).
• Gunzilla has existed for over six years and continues to operate Off The Grid, with Neill Blomkamp as co-founder and Chief Creative Officer.

As of April 2026, Gunzilla Games has not published a clear repayment schedule for contractors who report unpaid invoices.