Take-Two, despite its CEO saying there were “no plans” for layoffs in March, has reportedly closed down two studios amid a move to achieve a five per cent reduction in its workforce.
According to Bloomberg, Take-Two is shutting down two studios under its indie label, Private Division. The affected studios are Roll7, responsible for OlliOlli and Rollerdrome, and Intercept Games, which made Kerbal Space Program 2. Roll7’s Rollerdrome was a critical success and won the 2023 BAFTA for Best British Game. Another one of its games, OlliOlli World was also nominated that year.
In a statement given to Game Developer, Take-Two confirmed that current closures are part of “a cost reduction program to identify efficiencies across its business and to enhance [Take-Two’s] margin profile.
“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.”
While it wouldn’t comment specifically on London-based Roll7 or Seattle-based Intercept, documents seen by Bloomberg suggest these are the affected studios. A note to staff was reportedly given to Roll7, and a WARN notice served by Take-Two on April 29 states 70 Seattle employees are being permanently laid off.
In April, Take-Two filed an SEC report confirming it would be cancelling several projects as well as cutting five per cent of its workforce, around 600 people. This news came not even a month after CEO Strauss Zelnik said there were “no current plans” for layoffs.
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Take-Two owns Rockstar, developer of Grand Theft Auto 5, the most profitable piece of media in history.
In other news, Square Enix has also cancelled projects in a bid to “streamline” its output.