Paramount Confirms Mike Zaimont's Role on Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game

By Mohammad Haris, Senior Writer Published Jul 15, 2026, 1:13 AM UTC 2 min read

Release Brief Clearly attributed report

Paramount Confirms Mike Zaimont's Role on Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game

Paramount Game Studios has confirmed that Mike Zaimont is currently working as a developer on Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game, which is scheduled for release on July 23, 2026. The confirmation follows a viral media post that raised questions regarding Zaimont’s involvement with the project.

Quick Facts

Release Date: July 23, 2026
Developer: Gameplay Group International
Publisher: Paramount Game Studios
Zaimont’s Role: Individual contributor focusing on backend programming, engine architecture, and netcode.

In a statement provided to PC Gamer, a PR representative for Paramount confirmed Zaimont's position at Gameplay Group International. The studio is the same team behind Diesel Legacy, a title that featured Zaimont as a developer and was released in 2025.

Controversy and Prior Allegations

Zaimont’s involvement has drawn scrutiny due to his history at Lab Zero, an indie studio that collapsed following accusations of sexual misconduct and workplace harassment. Former colleagues accused Zaimont of making offensive comments, including a remark about the death of George Floyd in 2020, as well as inappropriate behavior regarding unwanted physical contact and demeaning comments toward coworkers.

Following the dissolution of Lab Zero, former creative director Mariel Cartwright and former CEO Francesca Esquenazi sued Zaimont for wrongful termination and retaliation, leading to a countersuit from Zaimont. That legal battle concluded in April 2026, when all parties agreed to resolve the lawsuit. The specific terms of that settlement remain undisclosed.

Community Response

The discussion around Zaimont’s role in the upcoming game was brought to the forefront by Irene Koh, an artist known for her work on The Legend of Korra comics. In a viral thread on Bluesky, Koh expressed disappointment regarding Zaimont’s participation in the project, noting her pride in her own contributions to the Avatar franchise over the last decade.

Zaimont has not maintained a public online presence since 2020. While the publisher of Diesel Legacy previously defended the hiring of Zaimont by citing the potential for a "redemptive arc," the development team’s decision to bring him on for Avatar Legends continues to be a point of contention within the fighting game community.