Overview
- Paramount Game Studios told multiple outlets late Tuesday that Mike Zaimont is employed by Gameplay Group International as an individual contributor on Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game.
- Paramount specified Zaimont’s work focuses on backend programming, engine architecture and netcode for the game, which is scheduled to release on July 23, 2026.
- Zaimont was accused of sexual harassment by former Lab Zero colleagues in 2020 and was involved in lawsuits with two ex-employees that were publicly reported as resolved in April 2026 with terms not disclosed.
- Artist Irene Koh publicly questioned Paramount after being asked to do promotional art and said the publisher initially did not answer her inquiries, which helped drive public scrutiny of the hire.
- The case underscores ongoing industry debates about rehiring people accused of misconduct, creates reputational risk for publishers, and could prompt creators and consumers to reconsider promotion, partnerships or purchases ahead of the release.