Update: While the initial report (found below) spoke only of the layoffs and shuttering for Kerbal Space Program 2 developer, Intercept Games, it is now known that Take-Two Interactive is shuttering Roll7 as well.
Roll7 is a development studio based out of London and is the team behind the action game Rollerdrome. The studio also known for developing several titles in the OlliOlli series.
Citing a note sent to staff, initial reporting on the closure of Roll7 was first made by Bloomberg. According to Bloomberg's report, Take-Two will be offering severance agreements to Roll7's staff.
Original story: A Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification reveals that 70 Take-Two employees were laid off on June 28 as part of a "closure." The employees were based in Seattle, which has led many to believe that these 70 layoffs and the "closure" are for Kerbal Space Program 2 developer Intercept Games.
This theory was supposed a bit by social media posts from Intercept employees who were caught in the layoffs. Game Developer has a statement from Take-Two about this current situation in the most by the numbers corporate statement you will read today.
On April 16th, Take-Two announced a cost reduction program to identify efficiencies across its business and to enhance the Company's margin profile, while still investing for growth. 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," reads the statement.
On April 18th Private Division successfully launched Moon Studio's No Rest for the Wicked. The label continues to make updates to Kerbal Space Program 2 and plans to release Wētā Workshop Game Studio's Tales of the Shire: A The Lord of the Rings Game in the second half of 2024.
On April 18th Private Division successfully launched Moon Studio's No Rest for the Wicked. The label continues to make updates to Kerbal Space Program 2 and plans to release Wētā Workshop Game Studio's Tales of the Shire: A The Lord of the Rings Game in the second half of 2024.
When pushed for a more definitive answer about the status of Intercept Games, Take-Two responded that they have "nothing further to note." These layoffs come just a couple of weeks after Take-Two Interactive announced plans to layoff 5% of all staff.
Kerbal Space Program 2 was being developed by Intercept Games and entered into an early access release on February 24, 2023. This sequel was first announced at Gamescom 2019 and had its release pushed back a number of times. The first Kerbal Space Program was developed by a Mexican studio, Squad. While it was said Squad would be involved in the sequel's development, there is little to no information on what, if anything, the original studio worked on for the sequel.
