LThat same month, game company Take-Two Interactive announced it would cut its workforce by 5% and lay off 580 people worldwide to reduce costs. This announcement was made in 2024, a year when Take-Two owns Rockstar Games, the publisher of Grand Theft Auto, one of the most successful games in world history. This incident is particularly troubling. And certainly There is no shortage of profits, as reported by Bloomberg last week. Internal documents reveal the potential victims of these cuts: Seattle’s Intercept Games studio and London’s Roll7 studio are set to close. Both studios are part of the major publisher’s indie game label, Private Division.
Last year, I spent time with Intercept as they were preparing to launch Kerbal Space Program 2. This geeky game about sending a green astronaut into space closely mimics real-life physics and has inspired a generation of engineering students. However, they faced a setback with the closure of the studio. The early access launch of Kerbal Space Program 2 faced challenges, with notable changes already taking place as mentioned in Eurogamer and Rock Paper Shotgun. While Kerbal Space Program 2 deserves a chance to turn things around, the circumstances leading to the studio closure were understandable.
On the other hand, Roll7, acquired by Take-Two in 2021, has released two successful and critically acclaimed games since then. OlliOlli World is a stylish cartoon skateboarding game with a unique personality. Their game Rollerdrome won the British Academy Award for Best British Game last year. Roll7, known for its 15-year history, has created profitable games based on interesting and original ideas like Not a Hero and Laser League.
While every studio closure is a loss, the closure of Roll7 feels particularly heartbreaking. Having enjoyed Roll7 games for over a decade, the news hits close to home. Establishing a unique creative culture, Roll7’s closure is a blow to the gaming community. Losing a studio that managed to stay independent until recently is truly unfortunate.
Rollerdrome. Photo: Roll7
In an interview with Eurogamer, Co-founder John Ribbins of Roll7, expressed relief at the studio’s acquisition by Take-Two in hopes of security. However, the latest developments highlight the lack of safety in the gaming industry, even for successful studios producing award-winning games. The closure of Roll7 serves as a stark reminder that even well-established studios are not immune to industry challenges.
Take-Two has not officially confirmed the closures yet. The company’s statement on April 16 announced a cost reduction program to streamline operations and improve profitability while continuing to invest in growth. The program involves retiring several projects, streamlining the organizational structure, and reducing headcount. Details on these initiatives are scarce.
The closure of studios like Roll7 raises concerns about the gaming industry’s direction in 2024. As major publishers focus on massive profit margins, smaller and creatively unique games face uncertainty. Roll7’s portfolio, which includes artistically and financially valuable games, aligns with the kind of diversity needed in the gaming industry.
what to play
Suitable for total cowards… pixel horror game Crow Country. Photo: SFB Games
Styled like a lost PlayStation 1 classic, land of crows is a horror adventure game set in an abandoned theme park inhabited by mutated guests. The eerie atmosphere, reminiscent of old attractions, without the mutants, makes the theme park itself terrifying. The commitment to the mid-90s low-poly aesthetic enhances the horror without the drawbacks of classic horror games.
If you enjoy the premise but prefer a less intense experience, the game can be played in enemyless mode, allowing players to solve puzzles and immerse themselves in the atmosphere without constant threats. Available on PC and PlayStation 5, the estimated playtime is less than 5 hours.
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what to read
Source: www.theguardian.com
