Featured Image Credit: Rockstar Games
Topics: no article matching, Take-Two
This is yet another devastating blow to the industry. Take-Two Interactive, perhaps best known as the parent company of Grand Theft Auto developer Rockstar Games, has closed two beloved studios.
Earlier this month, Take-Two Interactive announced plans to reduce its workforce by a total of 5% following in the footsteps of many other major studios and publishers, including the likes of Microsoft, Unity, EA, Sony, Embracer Group, Epic, SEGA, Ubisoft, CD Projekt RED, and Supermassive Games just to name a few.
A new report by Bloomberg confirms that as part of its layoffs, Take-Two Interactive will be closing Intercept Games and Roll7.
This has come as a huge shock to many in the industry. Roll7 created 2022’s OlliOlli World and Rollerdrome, two critically-acclaimed and much-loved games.
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Skateboarding game OlliOlli World received a very respectable 84 from critics over on aggregate website Metacritic, with the game going on to nab a Game Award nomination for Best Sports/Racing Game and a BAFTA Games Awards nomination for British Game.
Rollerdrome had a similar level of success, actually going on to win British Game at the 2023 BAFTAs.
Intercept Games most recently launched Kerbal Space Program 2, the space flight sim that acted as a follow up to 2015’s Kerbal Space Program. Unfortunately, this particular title has struggled to land a positive reception in early access.
Bloomberg claims to have seen internal documents confirming the two studio closures. It’s worth pointing out that Roll7 was only acquired by Take-Two back in 2021 when it was made a part of the publishers Private Division label.
Our thoughts go out to all of the talented developers who find themselves in this unfathomable position. It goes without saying that the incredible games we play would not be possible without them.
Since this news broke, it’s been confirmed that Kerbal Space Program 2 will continue to receive updates with a statement provided to PC Gamer adding that these will be done by “the [Private Division] label” following Intercept’s closure.