Take-Two Allegedly Plans to Dissolve or Sell Private Division

According to recent reports, Take-Two is contemplating the closure or potential sale of Private Division, its publishing label focused on independent games. The news emerges from sources close to the matter, stating that the majority of Private Division's staff have been let go. Take-Two has chosen not to comment on the situation. In April, management allegedly notified employees that the company would no longer be supporting the label, leaving a small team to oversee the remaining publishing agreements. These agreements include the upcoming titles 'No Rest for the Wicked' by Moon Studios, 'Tales of the Shire' by Wētā Workshop, and an untitled project from Game Freak, the developer behind Pokémon. Additionally, it is reported that at least two other publishing deals have been terminated. Bloober Team recently announced the loss of their deal with Private Division for an unannounced survival horror game, while another deal with One More Level, the studio behind 'Ghostrunner', has also been cancelled. Take-Two is supposedly in discussions with potential buyers for Private Division, with interest expressed by a private equity firm. Furthermore, the publisher is exploring the sale of the 'Kerbal Space Program' IP, potentially including 'Kerbal Space Program 2' developer Intercept Games. These developments follow a series of reports indicating a downsizing of Private Division. Take-Two has apparently closed the label's subsidiaries, including Roll7, the developer of 'Rollerdrome', and Intercept Games. CEO Strauss Zelnick later clarified that neither studio has been officially shut down, although a WARN notice suggests Intercept Games will cease operations this month, with staff confirming widespread layoffs. The changes within Private Division coincide with Take-Two's announcement of a 5% staff reduction across the company as part of its third cost-reduction initiative in just over a year.