By Sagar V. Mankar Take-Two Interactive, the creator of the Grand Theft Auto franchise, is closing two of its subsidiaries—Roll7 in London and Intercept Games in Seattle—as part of ongoing layoffs. This decision will impact around 70 employees, according to Bloomberg.
Roll7, known for innovative titles like Rollerdrome and the critically acclaimed OlliOlli series, has been a standout in the gaming industry for its creativity and unique approach. The studio’s games often emphasized fluid gameplay, referred to as achieving a “flow state,” a concept it championed. Roll7’s ability to consistently deliver fresh ideas—whether through 2D skateboarding games or inventive action titles—made it one of the most exciting developers in the industry. Unfortunately, the closure means fans may never see the new projects it was working on, leaving a significant gap in independent game development.
Intercept Games, the team behind Kerbal Space Program 2, is also being shuttered. The sequel has seen updates, but the closure raises questions about the game’s future.
The move comes after Take-Two’s announcement last month of a 5% staff reduction, amounting to around 600 employees across its divisions, including Private Division, a label established in 2017. Alan Lewis, Take-Two’s VP for Communications, declined to share additional details but confirmed that updates for Kerbal Space Program 2 will continue.
This development reflects a broader trend of layoffs across the gaming industry. Companies like Microsoft, Sony, Tencent, and EA have also scaled back operations, shutting down studios and reducing staff. Even TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, exited the gaming market, while Tencent shifted its focus to the West.
Sources: Bloomberg