Shadow of the Eternals dev arrested on child porn charges

[UPDATE] Following the publication of this story, a Precursor Games representative issued a statement to GameSpot on the matter.

“We are deeply upset by this," reads a line from the statement. "Having just learned of these disturbing charges today and based on the serious nature of them, Kenneth McCulloch is no longer affiliated in any way with Precursor Games.”

The original story follows below.

Precursor Games developer Kenneth McCulloch, 42, has been arrested on child pornography charges, according to an official release from the Niagara Regional Police Service.

Company CEO Paul Caporicci confirmed on the Precursor Games forums that McCulloch is no longer associated--in any way--with the studio.

"Having just learned of these disturbing charges today and based on the serious nature of them, Ken McCulloch is no longer affiliated in any way with Precursor Games," he said.

Police executed a search warrant at McCulloch's St. Catharines, Ontario residence yesterday, seizing a "significant" number of computer systems and peripheral devices. The police began investigating McCulloch in April.

McCulloch is charged with one count each of possession of child pornography, making child pornography available, and accessing child pornography.

The investigation is ongoing, police said.

McCulloch was a founding member of Precursor Games and, prior to his arrest, was listed on the company's website as "Lore-keeper. World-Builder. Dream-merchant." His employee profile has since been removed from the site.

Precursor Games, staffed by many former Silicon Knights developers, is currently working on Shadow of the Eternals, a spiritual successor to Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem.

The company temporarily canceled the game's crowdfunding campaign earlier this month and has yet to disclose how or if the game will move forward.