Take-Two Interactive Has Reportedly Laid off “Vast Majority” of Private Division Staff

Take-Two Interactive, a prominent gaming company, has announced the termination of roughly 5% of its employees, approximately 600 individuals, as part of an initiative to trim costs. The move not only affects jobs but also leads to the cancellation of several ongoing projects. As part of this sweeping decision, the effects on Private Division, a label under Take-Two, have been particularly severe.

Recent confirmations have disclosed that two studios owned by Private Division—Roll7, known for games like OlliOlli and Rollerdrome, and Intercept Games, the developers behind Kerbal Space Program 2—have ceased operations. Additionally, a notable portion of Private Division's workforce across their Seattle, New York, Las Vegas, and Munich offices has reportedly been let go. However, the exact implications of the label’s future game production remain uncertain.

Take-Two shared that these measures were part of a broader strategy launched on April 16th aimed at enhancing operational efficiencies and improving profit margins while continuing to invest in growth opportunities. This strategy is set to streamline the company structure, cutting down on the number of employees and lessening the need for future hires. Details on the projects affected by the cancellations remain undisclosed.

Despite these significant layoffs, Private Division continued its activities with the release of Moon Studio’s "No Rest for the Wicked" on April 18th. Updates to Kerbal Space Program 2 are ongoing, and the release of the upcoming "Tales of the Shire: A Lord of the Rings Game" by Wētā Workshop Game Studio is slated for the latter half of 2024.

Private Division is also collaborating on various undisclosed projects with external partners, which include Bloober Team and Game Freak.