Ex-PlayStation Director Criticizes Sony for Omitting Until Dawn Writers from Movie Credits

A former PlayStation narrative director, Kim MacAskill, has launched a petition urging the creators of the Until Dawn movie to give proper credit to the game's original writers. As highlighted by Eurogamer, MacAskill's petition seeks to influence Sony to change its approach to crediting intellectual property (IP) in transmedia adaptations.

In her petition, MacAskill expresses frustration over the current credits for the Until Dawn movie, which she describes as simply stating "based on the Sony game" without acknowledging the game's developers who worked tirelessly to create the iconic title. She emphasizes the importance of recognizing the hard work and creativity of these individuals, stating, "They spent years breaking their brains to make something incredible, and the world DESERVES to know their names... instead… No credit. No thanks. No honor."

Further elaborating on LinkedIn, MacAskill draws a comparison between the crediting in the Until Dawn movie and HBO's adaptation of The Last of Us, where Naughty Dog and Neil Druckmann receive proper acknowledgment. She questions the disparity in treatment, especially after being told by Sony executives that her personally created IP would never be credited to her due to her salaried status, which grants no royalties, control, ownership, or acknowledgment.

MacAskill's petition calls for Sony to revise their crediting practices, suggesting that providing an executive producer credit or equivalent acknowledgment would honor the creators whose passion and vision have significantly impacted the entertainment industry. She argues that such recognition is essential for maintaining the integrity of the industry and inspiring future creators.

In her words, "Let's advocate not only for the Until Dawn creators but for the integrity of the industry. By ensuring that creative voices are properly recognized, we can continue to inspire future generations of creators who dare to dream beyond current constraints. Sign this petition to urge Sony… and stand with all game creators… demanding well-deserved recognition in transmedia narratives."

In related news, it has been reported that Until Dawn Remastered will be available as part of the PlayStation Plus games for May 2025, possibly as a promotional move for the recently released Until Dawn movie. However, the film received a lukewarm reception, earning a 5/10 rating from IGN, with the review stating, "Until Dawn is more disappointing than deadly, leaving all the promise of the horror game behind for a jumble of horror-movie re-creations."