Indie games publisher Private Division is no longer part of Take-Two, as it’s been sold to an undisclosed buyer.
Strauss Zelnick, the firm’s head honcho, told GamesIndustry.biz that the new owner will be disclosed soon. The sale, according to the exec, will allow the firm to focus on larger projects.
Private Division’s next big upcoming project is Weta Workshop’s Animal Crossing-inspired take on Tolkien, Tales of the Shire: A Lord of the Rings Game. That project will remain under Private Division’s remit, although Take-Two will continue to support Moon Studios’ No Rest for the Wicked, which is due on PS5 next year.
One frustrating detail here is that Take-Two shuttered Private Division developers Roll7 and Intercept Games back in May. While Zelnick denied this news, a spokesperson has today confirmed that both developers were closed prior to the sale.
Why not keep them open if you plan to sell the publisher six months later?
[source gamesindustry.biz]
Comments 14
Another one for Embracer?
They were probably closed so the sale would go through
Seems like everything is either closing or being sold/acquired these days. Meanwhile Nintendo announced no plans to make acquisitions. Hopefully this doesn’t lead to them going under. While I don’t play anything they have made, it’s just tiring seeing gaming companies close lately…
@PsBoxSwitchOwner Possibly yeah. Just seems crap.
Curious to see whi bought them.
I read something about publisher issues delaying No Rest for the Wicked
@Bunchesopuppies don't think they can afford it anymore. Let's see...
I think take 2 looks at the reception of both games, shire (bad) and no rest for the wicked (really good), and react accordingly.
Also hyped for no rest for the wicked, the game looks good in steam early access, can't wait to play it on ps5 😃
How take 2 escapes the same kind of vitriolic negativity other devs/publishers get is beyond me. They deserve it as much if not more than anyone else in the industry.
Private division will benefit from no longer being under their control. Just a crying shame roll7 couldn't get out alive.
@Bluemoon2008 Take2 is arguably the worst of all. Even EA looks squeaky clean next to them.
You asked why shutter the studios prior to sale... I think the answer is pretty obvious. They were already in negotiation, and the sale was conditional on NOT having those studios. That would be my guess.
That'll be me when I buy Concord off PlayStation
They sold it to me, I was using a wig and fake mustache.
I just don't understand the Roll7 move, they were a relatively small studio (55 people) that make lots of games (6 in the last 10 years), which review well and win awards. Rollerdrome & Olli Olli World both released in 2022 and were hightly praised. Were their games really not financially successful?
I can understand them being too small for someone like Take-Two but I would have thought someone would want to snap them up. Talented bunch. A shame.
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