Community Manager Accuses Indie Publisher
Drama
19 December 2025 09:14
Eveina Zmlich, a former community manager at Critical Reflex, has shared her disturbing experience working at the indie gaming company, revealing issues of harassment, unfair pay, and toxic workplace culture.
Contents
Lack of Contract and Pay Disparities
Zmlich, who worked at Critical Reflex from 2022 to 2025 under the alias "Dragon Seed," claims she was promised a contract that never materialized. "I worked for 2 years and 7 months without a contract," Zmlich said, adding that she was paid only €720 a month, below Cyprus's minimum wage. "There were no social benefits or security."
She also pointed out pay disparities within her team, with some colleagues earning up to €1,500 a month for the same role. "It felt incredibly disrespectful," she said.
Sexual Harassment and Unwanted Advances
The most distressing part of Zmlich’s experience was the sexual harassment she claims she faced from the CEO, and Head of Production. Zmlich described CEO sending suggestive messages and gifts, and Head of Production continuously flirting despite her clear boundaries. "I had to report it, but nothing was done," she said.
Mental Health Struggles and Workplace Stress
The toxic environment led to severe mental health issues, with Zmlich experiencing psychotic episodes and multiple psychiatric hospitalizations. "The stress from this job was overwhelming," she shared, revealing that harassment from online communities only added to the pressure.
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Drama
19 December 2025 09:14
Eveina Zmlich, a former community manager at Critical Reflex, has shared her disturbing experience working at the indie gaming company, revealing issues of harassment, unfair pay, and toxic workplace culture.
Lack of Contract and Pay Disparities
Zmlich, who worked at Critical Reflex from 2022 to 2025 under the alias "Dragon Seed," claims she was promised a contract that never materialized. "I worked for 2 years and 7 months without a contract," Zmlich said, adding that she was paid only €720 a month, below Cyprus's minimum wage. "There were no social benefits or security."
She also pointed out pay disparities within her team, with some colleagues earning up to €1,500 a month for the same role. "It felt incredibly disrespectful," she said.
Sexual Harassment and Unwanted Advances
The most distressing part of Zmlich’s experience was the sexual harassment she claims she faced from the CEO, and Head of Production. Zmlich described CEO sending suggestive messages and gifts, and Head of Production continuously flirting despite her clear boundaries. "I had to report it, but nothing was done," she said.
Mental Health Struggles and Workplace Stress
The toxic environment led to severe mental health issues, with Zmlich experiencing psychotic episodes and multiple psychiatric hospitalizations. "The stress from this job was overwhelming," she shared, revealing that harassment from online communities only added to the pressure.
Related news
View AllPatrick Dane, a veteran gaming and entertainment journalist, has died at the age of 34 following a accident in the...
Drama
Jan 09, 2026
The debate over generative AI in game development just got a lot more heated. Hooded Horse, the indie publisher behind...
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Jan 09, 2026
The developers at 1047 Games have pushed back against criticism surrounding the low Steam player numbers for Splitgate: Arena Reloaded,...
Drama
Jan 07, 2026
Rainbow Six Siege continues to face issues following a major hack that took down its servers late last month. The...
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Jan 06, 2026
Patrick Söderlund, CEO and founder of Swedish game developer Embark Studios, has spoken out about the company’s use of artificial...
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Jan 06, 2026