A report from Jason Schreier at Bloomberg has has revealed plans by Take-Two Interactive to close down Kerbal Space Program 2 developer Intercept Games and Roll7, the developer of the OlliOlli games and Rollerdrome.
The plan was detailed in an earlier filing that explained the intention to reduce the publisher’s total workforce by 5% as part of a desire to “streamline its organizational structure”.
Take-Two Interactive is closing its Intercept Games and Roll7 studios in a cost-cutting move. https://t.co/ns1NAQ0mhl
— Bloomberg (@business) May 1, 2024
The shutdown notice was made public by way of a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification, which openly described the outcome for the studios as a “closure” and made mention that up to 70 employees will be out of work.
Both studios in question are far from inactive, with Intercept Games still actively developing and supporting Kerbal Space Program 2 – which is currently in early access – and Roll7 with games like the OlliOlli series and the BAFTA award-winning Rollerdrome as part of its 15 year history.
In an update on IGN, Take-Two responded with a statement that clarifies their position – not offering a great amount of detail, but still confirming the worst:
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. 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 18th Private Division successfully launched Moon Studio’s No Rest for the Wicked. The label continues to make updates to Kerbal Space Program 2 and plans to release Wētā Workshop Game Studio’s Tales of the Shire: A The Lord of the Rings Game in the second half of 2024.
Here at WellPlayed we are fast running out of descriptors for just how volatile and unforgiving this industry has become – tragic news like the above is breaking at an alarming rate. Games are a labour of love and creativity, and the people that help make them happen are the real heroes – but right now, they are suffering in a very big way.
Known throughout the interwebs simply as M0D3Rn, Ash is bad at video games. An old guard gamer who suffers from being generally opinionated, it comes as no surprise that he is both brutally loyal and yet, fiercely whimsical about all things electronic. On occasion will make a youtube video that actually gets views. Follow him on YouTube @Bad at Video Games
