In a significant move within the gaming and film industries, former PlayStation narrative director Kim MacAskill has launched a petition aimed at the creators of the Until Dawn movie. Her campaign seeks to ensure that the original writers of the game receive proper credit in the film adaptation. As reported by Eurogamer, MacAskill's petition calls on Sony, a leading figure in the gaming world, to set a new standard by revising the credits for Until Dawn. She emphasizes the need for Sony to reconsider its approach to crediting intellectual property (IP) in transmedia projects.
MacAskill expressed her frustration on the matter, stating, "I've just left Until Dawn where the film director, writers, etc, were all credited, but instead of [Sony] mentioning the leading game dev(s) who created this ICONIC game you're clearly proud of, [Sony] just wrapped it as 'based on the Sony game'. 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 her stance via a LinkedIn post, MacAskill compared the treatment of the Until Dawn team to that of the creators behind HBO's adaptation of Naughty Dog's The Last of Us, which prominently credits both the studio and Neil Druckmann as both writer and director. She questioned the disparity in recognition, highlighting her own experience where Sony executives informed her that the IP she personally created would never be credited to her due to her salaried status, which included no royalties, control, ownership, or acknowledgment.
Addressing Sony directly, MacAskill wrote, "I am struggling with the difference between Neil Druckmann's favor and that of others in your company." She also shared that when she inquired about the rights to her created IP, a Sony representative acknowledged her position but stated that the company's policy was firm and applied company-wide, saying it was "nothing personal."
MacAskill's petition seeks more than just personal recognition; she is advocating for a broader change in how creative contributions are acknowledged in transmedia adaptations. She proposes that providing an executive producer credit or equivalent acknowledgment would honor the creators whose passion and vision have significantly impacted the entertainment landscape.
"Let's advocate not only for the Until Dawn creators but for the integrity of the industry," MacAskill urged. "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 was reported earlier that Until Dawn Remastered might be included in the PlayStation Plus games for May 2025, potentially as a promotional move for the newly released Until Dawn movie. However, the film did not meet expectations, receiving a 5/10 rating in IGN's Until Dawn movie review, which stated, "Until Dawn is more disappointing than deadly, leaving all the promise of the horror game behind for a jumble of horror-movie re-creations."
