Take-Two Interactive is reportedly preparing to shut down its subsidiary, Private Division, signaling trouble for independent game development. The company, known for its strategic shifts within its studios, has already closed two studios recently and is now focusing on the future of Private Division. According to sources, the company is considering either selling or closing down Private Division entirely.
Take-Two Set to Close Private Division
Rumors from the United States suggest that Take-Two informed Private Division employees at the end of April that it would no longer support the subsidiary. It was reported that almost the entire staff of Private Division was laid off during this period. For those unfamiliar, Private Division was established by Take-Two in 2017 to publish games developed by independent studios. Some of the notable games published by Private Division include Outer Wilds and Disco Elysium. However, the studio’s revenues appear to be falling short of expectations.
Impact on Game Development
The potential shutdown of Private Division could lead to the cancellation of several games in development. This includes titles like Layers of Fear, a new game by Bloober Team, and an unannounced game by One More Level. Despite these setbacks, there remains a glimmer of hope for independent game fans. A small team working on Tales of the Shire and a project by Game Freak are still operational within the company. Furthermore, Take-Two is reportedly in talks to sell the downsized version of Private Division to another company, which could be positive news for the future of independent game projects.
Broader Implications for Take-Two
This move comes on the heels of Take-Two’s recent closure of Intercept Games, the developer of Kerbal Space Program 2. Reports indicate that Take-Two’s discussions with Paradox Interactive over the game rights have also fallen through, leading to the potential complete cancellation of the Kerbal Space Program series.
Take-Two Interactive’s decision to potentially shut down Private Division highlights the challenging environment for independent game publishers and developers. While the future remains uncertain, the gaming community will be watching closely to see how these developments unfold. What are your thoughts on Take-Two’s strategy and the potential impact on independent game development? Share your opinions in the comments below!
