The team behind the sci-fi action-adventure, Revenge of the Savage Planet, made a subtle yet pointed statement at the 2025 Game Developers Conference.  A billboard advertising the highly anticipated sequel featured a not-so-subtle jab at former Stadia boss, Phil Harrison.

This playful dig stems from the tumultuous history between the developers and Stadia.  Typhoon Studios, the original developers of Journey to the Savage Planet, were impacted by Google's abrupt closure of Stadia Games and Entertainment in 2021. This led to unresolved issues with the Stadia port of Journey to the Savage Planet, including lingering bugs.

Following the closure, the Typhoon team reformed as Raccoon Logic, retaining the rights to their IP and continuing development on the sequel, Revenge of the Savage Planet.  The billboard, featuring a character named “Gunther Harrison, CEO of Alta Interglobal” with an exaggeratedly large head, read, “Has a Harrison fired you lately? You might be eligible for emotional support.”

This is a clear reference to Phil Harrison and the impact his decisions had on the studio.  Harrison's response to Stadia's closure, which came shortly after Journey to the Savage Planet's problematic launch on the platform, was met with criticism. He stated the decision was “the best path to building Stadia into a long-term, sustainable business,” a statement that clearly didn't resonate with the affected developers.

The Revenge of the Savage Planet billboard, spotted in San Francisco’s Union Square during GDC, highlighted the tension between the developers and the former Stadia leadership.  The original Journey to the Savage Planet, released in 2020, allowed players to explore the vibrant alien world of ARY-26, cataloging its unique flora and fauna.  While the game received positive reception, its Stadia port was ultimately hampered by the platform's demise.

The developers at Raccoon Logic have recently discussed gameplay improvements for the sequel, promising a more refined and exciting experience. However, the billboard suggests the team's experience with Stadia hasn't been forgotten.

Revenge of the Savage Planet is set to launch on May 8, 2025, and will be available on Xbox Game Pass alongside its predecessor. It joins a crowded field of highly anticipated 2025 releases including The Outer Worlds 2, Avowed, Ghost of Yotei, Elden Ring Nightreign, and Grand Theft Auto 6, as well as competing with Doom: The Dark Ages and Lost Soul Aside in its release window.