Intercept Video games is among the many many casualties of Take-Two Interactive’s layoffs, as its mum or dad firm is shedding 70 folks from the developer behind the Kerbal Area Program 2.
As reported by GameDeveloper.com, a Employee Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) discover was filed in Washington state this previous Monday, revealing that Take-Two Interactive was shedding 70 employees primarily based in Seattle as a part of a closure. Although the WARN discover lists Take-Two particularly, the developer impacted in query seems to be Intercept Video games, a studio primarily based in Seattle.
Intercept Video games didn’t instantly reply to IGN’s request for remark, although the studio’s web site did have three job postings primarily based in Seattle.
In an announcement despatched to IGN, a Take-Two spokesperson didn’t explicitly affirm Intercept Video games’ closure, reiterating that it was not “offering extra particulars” on its plans to cut back employees throughout all its studios. Nevertheless, the corporate revealed that the writer, Non-public Division, will present post-launch assist for Kerbal Area Program 2, because the developer is seemingly shuttered.
You’ll be able to learn the assertion from Take-Two Interactive under.
On April sixteenth, Take-Two introduced a price discount program to determine efficiencies throughout its enterprise and to boost the Firm’s margin profile, whereas nonetheless investing for development. As a part of these efforts, the Firm is rationalizing its pipeline and eliminating a number of initiatives in improvement and streamlining its organizational construction, which is able to remove headcount and cut back future hiring wants. The Firm will not be offering extra particulars on this program.
On April 18th Non-public Division efficiently launched Moon Studio’s No Relaxation for the Depraved. The label continues to make updates to Kerbal Area Program 2 and plans to launch Wētā Workshop Recreation Studio’s Tales of the Shire: A The Lord of the Rings Recreation within the second half of 2024.
Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier has since confirmed that Intercept Video games in addition to Roll7, the studio behind OlliOlli World, might be closed.
Take-Two Interactive introduced final month that it was shedding round 5 p.c, or 579 employees, whereas canceling a number of initiatives. The announcement got here months prior when CEO Strauss Zelnick claimed the corporate had “no plans” to put off anybody however did reveal that it was enterprise a price discount plan.
Kerbal Area Program 2 was launched over a 12 months in the past in early entry. A sequel to 2015’s Kerbal Area Program, the sequel has been met with combined reception from critics and gamers, with some at launch criticizing poor efficiency and bugs as its most vital drawbacks.
The online game trade has been racked with layoffs, with EA, PlayStation, and Xbox amongst these affected. You’ll be able to learn our full report right here.
Taylor is a Reporter at IGN. You’ll be able to observe her on Twitter @TayNixster.
