Take-Two Interactive Closes Roll7 in London and Intercept Games in Seattle: A Look at the Impact on Gaming Industry and Affected Studios

Seattle, Washington United States of America
Cost-reduction program aimed at enhancing Take-Two's margin profile while investing for growth
Roll7 known for its no-crunch policy and down-to-earth culture
Roll7 known for its OlliOlli series and Rollerdrome, Intercept Games developer of Kerbal Space Program 2
Roll7 staff to receive severance agreements, Intercept Games filing notice to cut 70 jobs in Seattle
Take-Two Interactive closes Roll7 in London and Intercept Games in Seattle
Take-Two Interactive plans to reduce workforce by approximately five percent or around 600 employees by December 31, 2024
Take-Two Interactive Closes Roll7 in London and Intercept Games in Seattle: A Look at the Impact on Gaming Industry and Affected Studios

Take-Two Interactive, the parent company of Private Division, has announced the closure of two subsidiary studios: Roll7 in London and Intercept Games in Seattle. The news comes as part of a larger cost-reduction program aimed at enhancing Take-Two's margin profile while still investing for growth.

Roll7, known for its OlliOlli series and Rollerdrome, was acquired by Private Division in November 2021. The studio will be closed, and staff will receive severance agreements. Intercept Games, the developer of Kerbal Space Program 2, is also being closed. Take-Two Interactive filed a notice to cut 70 jobs in Seattle.

Multiple sources have reported that Private Division has let go of the vast majority of its teams in Seattle, New York, Las Vegas and Munich. However, Take-Two Interactive has not provided any additional details on the layoffs or studio closures.

Roll7 was known for its no-crunch policy and down-to-earth culture which made it unique in the gaming industry. The studio's co-founder, John Ribbins, and creative director, Andreas Yiannikaris, were excited about new games they were directing there.

Take-Two Interactive announced in April that it would reduce its workforce by approximately five percent or around 600 employees by December 31, 2024. The company continues to make updates to Kerbal Space Program 2 and plans to release Wétán Workshop Game Studio's Tales of the Shire: A The Lord of the Rings Game in the second half of 2024.


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Confidence

91%

Doubts
  • Additional details on the reasons for the studio closures beyond cost-reduction program
  • Exact number of staff affected by the closure of each studio

Sources

98%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Take-Two reportedly shuts down Roll7 and Intercept Games, Private Division suffers layoffs

GamesIndustry.biz James Batchelor Thursday, 02 May 2024 10:13
  • Unique Points
    • Take-Two Interactive is reportedly shutting down UK developer Roll7, known for the OlliOlli series and Rollerdrome.
    • Take-Two Interactive is reportedly shutting down Seattle-based studio Intercept Games, the developer of Kerbal Space Program 2.
  • Accuracy
    • Approximately 70 employees will be affected by the closure of Intercept Games.
    • Take-Two is laying off 70 people in Seattle.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

98%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Take-Two Interactive Shuts Down Two Game Studios

Bloomberg News Now Jason Schreier Thursday, 02 May 2024 17:01
  • Unique Points
    • Take-Two Interactive is shutting down two subsidiaries
    • London-based Roll7, developer of Rollerdrome, is one of the studios being closed
    • Take-Two will offer severance agreements to the staff of the closing studios
  • Accuracy
    • London-based Roll7 is one of the studios being closed
    • Approximately 70 employees will be affected by the closure of Intercept Games.
    • Roll7 made games such as OlliOlli World, Rollerdrome, Laser League, and Not a Hero
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

92%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Goodbye Roll7, you deserved so much better

Eurogamer News Site Analysis Report: Comprehensive Coverage of the Gaming Industry with Transparency in Reporting Practices, Fairness in Coverage, and Minimal Conflicts of Interest or Deceptiveness. (2023 Update). Robert Purchese Thursday, 02 May 2024 15:22
  • Unique Points
    • Roll7, a British studio known for its original games and independent experimentation, has been suddenly closed by parent company Take-Two.
    • Roll7 was known for its no-crunch policy and down-to-earth culture which made it unique in the gaming industry.
  • Accuracy
    • The closure of Roll7 was not officially confirmed by either company but reports and social media post suggest it is true.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (90%)
    The author expresses disappointment and sadness towards the closure of Roll7 studio by Take-Two. He praises the studio for their original ideas and creativity in game development. However, there are a few instances of informal fallacies: 1. Ad hominem attack: The author implies that Take-Two's decision to close Roll7 is galling because they are OK with sacrificing 'these kinds of games.' He is attacking the character of Take-Two instead of addressing the argument itself. 2. Hasty generalization: The author assumes that all publishers like Take-Two treat their studios and employees in a cold and calculating manner, based on Roll7's experience.
    • The galling part is that it’s this kind of game, and the perceived value of it, that Private Division and Take-Two are apparently OK with sacrificing.
    • Moreover, the rug has been pulled at a time when it looked like working within publishers like Take-Two might be a feasible option for a small studio in 2024. It seemed like a place where that kind of operation might be nurtured and supported.
  • Bias (95%)
    The author expresses disappointment and sadness towards the closure of Roll7 studio by Take-Two, highlighting their innovative and original games. The author also mentions the financial success of some of Roll7's games and questions why they were sacrificed. This can be considered as an example of monetary bias.
    • Of all the games and studios on their books, these are the ones that can go. Granted, Roll7 games might not have been money-spinners like Grand Theft Auto Online is, but is that all that matters?
    • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
      None Found At Time Of Publication
    • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
      None Found At Time Of Publication

    99%

    The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
    (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

    A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

    Update: Take-Two confirms Kerbal Space Program 2 is safe despite Seattle layoffs

    Game Developer Chris Kerr Thursday, 02 May 2024 17:03
    • Unique Points
      • Take-Two had already told Game Developer it will continue to make updates to Kerbal Space Program 2.
      • Multiple Kerbal Space Program developers have indicated they recently left Intercept Games and were laid off.
    • Accuracy
      No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
    • Deception (100%)
      None Found At Time Of Publication
    • Fallacies (95%)
      No direct fallacies found in the author's statements. However, there are some potential indirect fallacies due to the lack of clear information about Intercept Games' status and reliance on Bloomberg's report.
      • ]Update (05/02/24): Bloomberg is reporting that Take-Two intends to shut down Intercept Games.
    • Bias (100%)
      None Found At Time Of Publication
    • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
      None Found At Time Of Publication
    • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
      None Found At Time Of Publication

    99%

    The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
    (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

    A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

    Bloomberg: Take-Two Interactive Software to shut down Roll7, Intercept Games

    Gematsu Sal Romano Wednesday, 01 May 2024 20:30
    • Unique Points
      • Take-Two Interactive Software is shutting down Private Division subsidiary studios Roll7 and Intercept Games.
      • Roll7, a London-based studio, was acquired by Private Division in November 2021 and is known for the OlliOlli series and Rollerdrome. The studio will be closed, and staff will receive severance agreements.
      • Intercept Games, a Seattle-based studio behind Kerbal Space Program 2, will also be closed. Take-Two Interactive Software filed a notice to cut 70 jobs in Seattle.
    • Accuracy
      No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
    • Deception (100%)
      None Found At Time Of Publication
    • Fallacies (95%)
      The author is reporting on facts and does not make any fallacious statements. However, there are a few instances of inflammatory rhetoric used in the article that slightly lower the score. The use of the word 'plans to shut down' and 'roughly' when describing the number of jobs being cut could be seen as inflammatory, but they do not significantly impact the overall accuracy or validity of the article.
      • ][Take-Two Interactive Software] plans to close the studio[[]], [][Roll7 is the London-based studio behind][], [][Take-Two Interactive Software filed a notice with the Washington State Employment Security Department revealing plans to close an office in Seattle and cut 70 jobs,]
    • Bias (100%)
      None Found At Time Of Publication
    • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
      None Found At Time Of Publication
    • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
      None Found At Time Of Publication