London, England – The games industry has witnessed a surge in job losses this year, with Bloomberg reporting more closures of studios within the industry. Take-Two Interactive Software has announced the shutdown of two studios – Private Division and London-based subsidiary Roll7 (known for games like OlliOlli and Rollerdrome) along with Intercept Games, developer of Kerbal Space Program 2 based in Seattle.
Roll7, the London-based studio behind Rollerdrome, will be closed by Take-Two, with severance agreements offered to its employees. Intercept Games, situated in Seattle and creator of Kerbal Space Program 2, is also set to be shut down, resulting in the loss of approximately 70 jobs.
Despite the closures, Take-Two’s vice president for communications has reassured that Kerbal Space Program 2 will continue to receive updates. This recent wave of layoffs adds to a string of similar stories this year, ranging from significant layoffs at major companies like Microsoft and Sony to project cancellations at smaller game development teams.
The closures highlight the challenges faced by video game studios in an ever-evolving and competitive industry. The impact of these shutdowns not only affects the employees directly involved but also raises concerns about the future of the games they were working on and the overall landscape of the industry.
As the gaming community grapples with these latest developments, the industry continues to adapt and evolve, showcasing both the opportunities and challenges faced by developers in creating and maintaining successful game titles. The closures serve as a reminder of the volatility and unpredictability inherent in the gaming sector, urging companies and developers to navigate these challenges with resilience and innovation.