Take-Two Interactive is shutting down Roll7 (Rollerdrome) and Intercept Games (Kerbel Space Program 2) as part of mass layoffs.
This report comes from Bloomberg, according to documentation they reviewed, Take-Two Interactive Inc. plans to shut down two subsidiaries as part of mass layoffs across its divisions.
The first closure is Roll7, a London-based developer of the action game Rollerdrome, as stated in a staff memo. Take-Two intends to shut down the studio and provide severance packages to its employees. Additionally, Seattle’s Intercept Games, the creator of the space flight simulation Kerbal Space Program 2, is set to close according to a filing with the Washington State Employment Security Department. The filing indicates that Take-Two plans to close a Seattle office, resulting in the loss of approximately 70 jobs, which corresponds to the workforce of Intercept Games.
Previously, Gamesindusty.biz has spotted a WARN (Worker Adjustment and Retaining Notification) filed in Washington and reached out to Take-Two for a comment, to which spokeperson Alan Lewis replied with the following:
GamesIndustry.biz reached out to Take-Two for clarification and spokeperson Alan Lewis replied with the following:
“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.”
The filing from WARN also includes the closure and layoffs are expected to begin on June 28, 2024.
A spokeperson has also responded to Game Developer with the same message, but he added:
“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,” suggesting the support for Kerbal Space Program 2 will continue.
Take-Two announced last month that it would be laying off around 5% of all employees by the end of this year, which is estimated to be 580 people. The company acquired Roll7 in November 2021, while Intercept Games was founded in 2020 to develop Kerbal Space Program 2 which Take-Two acquired from Kerbal Space Program developer Squad in 2017. Both studios were part of Private Division, whose staff also lost jobs as part of the layoffs.
The company has recently acquired Gearbox Software for $460 million and is ramping up development for Grand Theft Auto 6 releasing next year.
Take-Two Interactive, Roll7 and Intercept Games all have yet to comment about the situation publicly.
