In a move that has sent shockwaves through the gaming industry, Take-Two Interactive, the publishing giant behind blockbuster franchises like Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption, has reportedly decided to shutter two of its prominent game development studios. According to documents obtained by Bloomberg, Roll7, the London-based studio responsible for the critically acclaimed OlliOlli World and Rollerdrome, and Intercept Games, the Seattle-based team behind the highly anticipated Kerbal Space Program 2, are facing closure as part of Take-Two’s recently announced restructuring plan.
Last month, Take-Two revealed its intention to lay off approximately 5% of its global workforce, amounting to around 600 employees, as part of cost-cutting measures aimed at enhancing the company’s profit margins. The decision was accompanied by the cancellation of several unspecified game projects that were in development. Now, it appears that Roll7 and Intercept Games have become casualties of this restructuring effort.
When reports of Intercept Games’ potential closure began circulating online, a spokesperson for Take-Two initially refused to comment on the studio’s status. However, they did acknowledge the company’s plans to “rationalize its pipeline and eliminate several projects in development and streamline its organizational structure,” which would result in job cuts and reduced hiring needs.
Roll7, the acclaimed developer behind hit titles like OlliOlli World and Rollerdrome, was acquired by Take-Two in November 2021 through its Private Division label. At the time, Private Division expressed its commitment to empowering Roll7 to continue creating its signature “flow state gaming” experiences. Ironically, just over a year later, the studio now faces an uncertain future.
The fate of Intercept Games is equally precarious. According to Bloomberg’s reports, Take-Two had previously pulled the highly anticipated Kerbal Space Program 2 from its original developer, Star Theory, before poaching most of the team to continue working on the game at the newly formed internal studio, Intercept Games. This move allegedly led to the eventual closure of Star Theory.
While Take-Two remains tight-lipped about the specific details of its restructuring plans, the potential loss of Roll7 and Intercept Games represents a significant blow to the gaming community. These studios have garnered critical acclaim and dedicated fan bases for their innovative and engaging titles.
As Take-Two prepares for the highly anticipated release of Grand Theft Auto 6 next year and continues to expand its portfolio with the recent $460 million acquisition of Borderlands maker Gearbox, the decision to shutter Roll7 and Intercept Games has left many questioning the company’s priorities and long-term commitment to fostering creativity and diversity within the gaming industry.
In the wake of this news, fans and industry professionals alike have taken to social media platforms to express their dismay and concern over the potential loss of talented development teams and the impact it may have on the future of gaming. As the dust settles, all eyes will be on Take-Two to see how it navigates this restructuring process and whether it can strike a balance between fiscal responsibility and nurturing the creative forces that have propelled the industry to new heights.
