Take-Two is reportedly planning to shut down Private Division studios Roll7 and Intercept Games as part of recently announced restructuring.
Last month, the publisher said itplanned to lay off 5% of its workforce, or around 600 people, as part of cost-cutting measures that would also result in the cancellation of unnamed game projects.
Two casualties of this restructuring are Roll7, the London-based developer behind OlliOlli and Rollerdrome, and Seattle-based Intercept Games, which developedKerbal Space Program 2, according to documentation seen byBloomberg.
Afterreports of Intercept Games’ closure began circulating online, a spokesperson forTake-Twohad earlier refused to comment on the status of the studio.
“On April 16th, Take-Two announced a cost reduction program to identify efficiencies across its business and to enhance the Company’s margin profile, while still investing for growth,” they toldGame Developer.
“As part of these efforts, the Company is rationalizing its pipeline and eliminating several projects in development and streamlining its organizational structure, which will eliminate headcount and reduce future hiring needs. The Company is not providing additional details on this program.
“On April 18thPrivate Divisionsuccessfully launched Moon Studio’s No Rest for the Wicked,” the statement continued.
“The label continues to make updates to Kerbal Space Program 2 and plans to release Wētā Workshop Game Studio’s Tales of theShire: A The Lord of the Rings Gamein the second half of 2024.”
Take-Two acquired Roll7 in November 2021. At the the time, Private Division said it would “empower” the studio to continue creating its signature “flow state gaming” experiences.
Further reading
Bloomberg previously alleged that Take-Two pulled Kerbal Space Program 2 from original developer Star Theory beforepoaching most of its staff to continue working on the gameat new internal studio Intercept, eventually leading to the company’s closure.
The New York-based company, which also ownsRockstar Gamesand is gearing up torelease Grand Theft Auto 6 next year, recentlyacquired Borderlands maker Gearbox for $460 million.
