Update (01/08/21, 2:35 PM) – Dying Light developer Techland has released a statement regarding Pawel Selinger's departure in order to "reassure all fans" that the game still has an Art Director in place.
Here's the statement Techland provided to Game Informer:
In connection with the information about the departure of Techland’s Art Director, we would like to reassure all fans of the upcoming Dying Light 2 that the position of Art Director is not threatened and has been held by Eric Cochonneau since November 2019. Eric has been taking care of every aspect of the upcoming production ever since and the team under his leadership is doing their best to offer players the best game possible.
Paweł Selinger, who has been the Narration Designer for the last two years, decided at the end of 2020 to end his cooperation with Techland and to pursue his further career elsewhere. Paweł spent most of his professional life at Techland and he, among others, takes credit for the success of the series Call of Juarez. He left a large piece of himself with Dying Light 2, as he worked on the project from the very beginning. His duties, i.e. the narrative department, were taken over by Piotr Szymanek in October 2020.
We will be sharing exciting news about Dying Light 2 soon!
Additionally, it has been discovered that Techland's Animation Director Nicolas Riviere has also departed the company after four and a half years.
Our original story continues below.
Dying Light and Dead Island writer Pawel Selinger has left Techland after 22 years with the company. The former lead writer and artist for Dying Light 2 hasn't moved to a new company yet, either — for now, he's elected to remain self-employed.
If you're not quite familiar with Dying Light, it's a game where you and up to three of your friends have to try to survive in a city overrun with zombies. One of the hooks of this game was some pretty crazy freedom of movement: you could jump along rooftops and go pretty much anywhere in the game world. Unfortunately, the zombies were pretty nimble, too, and that could sometimes make for some interesting battles.
Currently, Techland is working on Dying Light 2, a sequel that looks like it will significantly increase the scope and scale of its predecessor. Unfortunately, it looks like one of the company's key figures had decided to pack it in.
Why Did Dying Light Writer Pawel Selinger Leave Techland?
Dying Light Writer Pawel Selinger didn't specify exactly why he's left Techland, although he did have some heartfelt words for his former company.
"After over twenty-two years, I decided to end my cooperation with Techland," read a LinkedIn post from Pawel Selinger. "I would like to express my gratitude to the company that has allowed me to develop and fulfill myself for half of my life. Techland, I will always be rooting for you, as well as the great people I have met thanks to you. I wish you that Dying light 2 and subsequent projects will become world hits. Good bye and good luck!"
Currently, Selinger lists his occupation as a self-employed Art Director, Writer, and Designer. His past work includes Dying Light, multiple Dead Island games, and multiple Call of Juarez games.
Do you think Pawel Selinger leaving Techland is a bad sign for Dying Light 2? When do you think that game will actually come out? Let us know in the comments below!
