“Starting Thistle and Thorn was a political statement”: Until Dawn Controversy Forces Former PlayStation Narrative Director to Fight Fire with Fire

The Until Dawn movie released recently may not have been received in the most positive way, but it did at least bring Supermassive’s cult horror hit to a new audience. However, the decision to exclude the original game’s writers from the movie’s credits has not gone down well at all, leaving many creatives annoyed at Sony for failing to properly acknowledge the artistic minds responsible for creating the Until Dawn IP.

How Can You Not Credit the Creators of Until Dawn In a Movie Based on Until Dawn?

Despite the recent film adaptation being based on the IP that they created, the Until Dawn movie doesn’t feature any on-screen credit for Will Byles, Graham Reznick, or Larry Fessenden. This is pretty egregious, considering that these were the original three minds behind the game’s characters, dialogue, and world. Former PlayStation Narrative Director Kim MacAskill is one notable industry figure who will no longer stand for this mistreatment.

Kim has launched a petition urging Sony to update the film’s credits and give the original creators their due. MacAskill wasn’t involved in the development of Until Dawn, so she is not doing this for the sake of her own financial benefit or for personal recognition, she is simply tired of seeing narrative designers being treated in this disrespectful manner, especially when their ideas often go on to generate millions in revenue for the parent companies involved.

A Thorn In the Side

When Kim isn’t spending her time justifiably rattling the big corporation’s cages on social media, she is busy creating a grass roots alternative to the greed-driven, self-serving industry standards for game development. MacAskill recently launched her own game studio called Thistle and Thorn, and when we asked her about the company’s goals, she made it clear this wasn’t just about making money through gaming, it was about sending a message.

“I started a studio called Thistle and Thorn and really it was a political statement more than anything because a lot of creative things have been getting shut down.”

As a notable Scottish developer, Kim has used her voice to shine a light on Scotland’s approach to video games and point out how it is still very much stuck in the past compared to other creative industries. This mindset is actively stifling new talent. Compared to countries like Finland, where a collapsing tech sector led to serious investment in games, Scotland has yet to even officially classify games as part of its tech, art, or education sectors.

“Unfortunately, when we went to the last AGM, what I saw was one MP saying the words; ‘but games are for children,’ and I’m not even kidding. I was quite baffled to see how much of it was Dundee arguing with Edinburgh arguing with Aberdeen arguing with Stirling about where a centre for gaming might exist… moreso than talking about who’ll really be funding the studios.”

Kim’s comments paint a pretty grim picture of how the higher ups and gatekeepers act behind closed doors, especially for aspiring devs in the local region. There is seemingly a lot of talk, but very little real support. Thankfully, MacAskill isn’t shy about calling out the systems and corporations that thrive on that imbalance.

Changing Things For the Future

The Until Dawn petition is part of a bigger fight. It is not just about three uncredited writers, – although that is important, – it is about setting a precedent. If Sony can sideline the original creators of one of its most beloved horror titles, what message does that send to every other writer pouring their soul into a project under the pretence of a salaried contract?

“The biggest hurdle is that Scotland does not currently recognise video games as something that belongs in the tech sector, or the education sector, or the art sector. This is the main reason why video game studios cannot apply for government funding.”

It isn’t like this is just a Scottish problem either. The gaming industry at large has spent decades brushing off the people doing the creative heavy lifting, especially when it comes to narrative design. The industry relies on a system that favours utilising greedy tactics to optimize sales figures over giving proper credit to those responsible for creating the IP that is being milked for profit.

Thankfully, people like Kim MacAskill and Brian Baglow exist, (for those who aren’t aware, Brian has been campaigning for the Scottish government to recognise video games as an art form for years,) these are the folk we need to stand up and make noise if things are ever going to change. I am grateful that they are willing to challenge the status quo, and more importantly, that they are actively trying to create a space for the next generation of creatives to not only get their foot in the door, but be seen and valued when they do.

This punk rock attitude benefits the many, not just the elite few. It reminds us that video games are not just commodities or content, but pieces of art, built by real, dedicated people who deserve to be recognised. When creators push back against the corporate machinery and demand credit where it is due, it opens the door for a more sustainable industry, which benefits everyone in the long run.

This future that Kim and Brian are fighting for is one where developers, writers, and artists might not constantly have to kick and scream and fight just to be acknowledged. If that is the sort of direction that you’d like to see industry head towards, I’d encourage you to support both Brian over at the Scottish Games Network and Kim with her endeavours launching Thistle and Thorn. In a bleak future, projects like these shine like beacons through the fog.

For more Thumb Wars Gaming coverage, check out how the launch of the Switch 2 could be affected by Trump’s tariffs, or how the Death Stranding movie has brought on the perfect team to adapt Hideo Kojima’s signature oddness for the big screen. Otherwise, follow Thumb Wars on X, Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram to keep up with the latest news, reviews, and interviews!

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