In a recent update, the Take-Two CEO announced that although Intercept Games and Roll7 have not been shut down, a layoff is imminent. According to a LinkedIn post from a senior programmer at Intercept Games, employees will be let go next month. This news comes as a blow to the talented individuals at Intercept Games, who will now be forced to seek new roles elsewhere. If there are any further developments regarding these studios, we will be sure to update you.
Following a report by Bloomberg earlier this month, Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick has come forward to clarify that the company has not closed these studios. Zelnick emphasized that they are constantly reviewing their release schedule across all studios to ensure it is sustainable. He also mentioned that Take-Two is in the process of implementing a cost reduction program, which has already been concluded and is now being rolled out. Despite announcing savings of $165 million in existing and future costs, Zelnick confirmed that no studios have been shuttered.
However, when pressed about the reports regarding Roll7 and Intercept, Take-Two’s PR team intervened, stating that the company has not provided a label-by-label breakdown of the cost reduction plan. Bloomberg’s reporter, Jason Schreier, has also shared excerpts from the documentation obtained earlier this month. As the situation continues to unfold, we will provide updates as they become available.
The games industry has already seen a significant number of job losses this year, and unfortunately, this trend appears to be continuing. According to reports from Bloomberg, Take-Two Interactive Software is set to close two more studios: Private Division and Roll7 from London, as well as Intercept Games from Seattle. The closure of these studios will result in a substantial number of job losses, with severance agreements being offered to affected employees.
The closure of London-based Roll7, known for developing the action game Rollerdrome, and Seattle-based Intercept Games, creator of Kerbal Space Program 2, comes as a shock to the gaming community. Take-Two’s decision to shut down these studios and cut jobs has raised concerns about the future of these beloved games. Despite the closures, Take-Two’s vice president for communications has assured players that Kerbal Space Program 2 will continue to receive updates.
This latest round of layoffs adds to the growing list of similar stories within the industry this year. From mass layoffs at tech giants like Microsoft and Sony to project cancellations at smaller development teams, the impact of job losses in the gaming industry is being keenly felt across the board. As the industry continues to evolve and adapt to changing market conditions, it remains to be seen how these closures will shape the future landscape of gaming.
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