In latest weeks, reviews have surfaced that Take-Two is shuttering Kerbal Area Program 2 developer Intercept Video games and OlliOlli World developer Roll7. Now, IGN has realized that not solely are these closures imminent, however they’re part of a bigger transfer by Take-Two to both unload or shut down the whole thing of its indie label, Personal Division.
Earlier this month, Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick instructed IGN that Take-Two “did not shutter” its owned indie studios Intercept Video games and Roll7. On the time, that was technically true; each studios are at present operational, however they will not be for lengthy. Chatting with a number of nameless sources aware of the matter, IGN has independently confirmed that Intercept Video games is about to shut on June 28, following a discover interval required by the Washington State WARN Act. Roll7, too, is equally winding down, although a small crew stays to tie up free ends.
In the meantime, Take-Two desires to dump Personal Division, a technique or one other. In February, IGN understands staff have been instructed layoffs have been imminent, however not given specifics on what number of, why, or what was taking place. Then, on the finish of April, staff of the label have been instructed by administration that Take-Two would not assist Personal Division, at which era nearly all of the workers have been laid off.
A small crew stays to assist the remaining introduced video games with which Personal Division has publishing offers: Moon Studios’ No Relaxation for the Depraved (which is at present in early entry), Wētā Workshop’s Tales of the Shire, and an untitled challenge from Recreation Freak. Take-Two has backed out of two different publishing offers it had beforehand agreed to beneath the label – one beforehand reported cope with Bloober Workforce, and one other sources described to us that might have been with Ghostrunner developer One Extra Degree.
Although Personal Division and its related studios seem at risk of vanishing solely, Take-Two is on the lookout for different choices…albeit with combined success. The writer has been in talks to discover a purchaser for the Kerbal Area Program IP, with or with out Intercept Video games hooked up. IGN has realized that discussions befell for such a cope with technique recreation writer Paradox Interactive, however fell by way of, and it is unclear if one other purchaser will materialize in time.
Take-Two can be in discussions to unload Personal Division, and has discovered curiosity from a personal fairness agency. Although a deal has not been agreed upon but, sources have been conscious that conversations are being facilitated partly by people with connections to Moon Studios management. However two of my sources expressed apprehension about such a deal and its connections, citing a 2022 VentureBeat report alleging “oppressive” work circumstances at Moon Studios. One supply I spoke with confirmed that “all the pieces” within the report was “true and worse” and one other referred to as the studio’s founders “merciless” and “a nightmare” to work with.
All these I spoke to for this story expressed frustration at Take-Two management for alleged mismanagement of the label, and referred to as out chief technique officer and Personal Division head Michael Worosz for poor management. Sources say the label was usually saddled with unreasonable gross sales targets, and pressured to launch video games earlier than they have been prepared, with Kerbal Area Program 2 being a notable latest instance. And but, all of these I spoke to shared emotions of unhappiness surrounding the destiny of Personal Division, citing the crew’s honest mission to assist smaller, unbiased studios, particularly those who have been newer and fewer established.
“The individuals at Personal Division have been superb, gifted, passionate people who liked what they did and likewise actually cared about one another as a crew and as individuals,” one individual stated. “We liked our initiatives, we labored onerous, and we fostered an awesome atmosphere internally. I might like to work with any of them once more. The ache level was at all times Take-Two and related management forcing our hand. The entire layoff scenario proved what we already felt. Take-Two couldn’t care much less about its staff.”
Take-Two declined to remark for this piece; Moon Studios didn’t reply in time for publication.
Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. Bought a narrative tip? Ship it to rvalentine@ign.com.
