Private Division

Take-Two's prior publishing model has been focused on its two internally-owned labels, Rockstar Games which is used for its action-adventure games like Grand Theft Auto, and its 2K label that includes 2K Games and 2K Sports for other games. All such games are developed principally through internal development studios or from large third-party triple-A studios (such as Firaxis Games with Civilization IV or Gearbox Software for the Borderlands series).

Take-Two formed Private Division as a new publishing label to help smaller and independent studios. The label looks to provide funding and publishing for "triple-I" games such as Ninja Theory's Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice, those that fell into the middle ground between triple-A games by large studios, and indie games created by relatively new and small indie studios. The formation of Private Division was led by Take-Two's head of corporate development and independent publishing Michael Worosz. Worosz, in evaluating potential games to publish under Take-Two's name, found a number of mid-sized studios founded by developers that had prior triple-A development experience but wanted to create less ambitious games. Worosz learned that these studios struggled with funding, as they did not fit into the types of studios backed by indie game publishers like Devolver Digital, and their projects were too large to be backed through self-funding or crowdfunding.{{cite web | url = https://www.pcgamesinsider.biz/interviews-and-opinion/68832/we-see-ourselves-in-some-ways-as-risk-takers-where-private-division-fits-into-take-twos-games-strategy/ | title = "We see ourselves in some ways as risk-takers": Where Private Division fits into Take-Two's games strategy | first = Alex | last =Calvin | date = April 10, 2019 | access-date = April 12, 2019 | work = PC Games Insider }} About two and a half years prior to the label's announcement Worosz pitched the idea of Private Division to Take-Two's CEO Strauss Zelnick, who greenlit the creation of the label and they hired Allen Murray in late 2015 to run the production side, begin recruiting developers and build their team and infrastructure.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2017/12/14/take-two-announces-new-publishing-label-private-division.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171215005852/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2017/12/14/take-two-announces-new-publishing-label-private-division.aspx |url-status=live |archive-date=December 15, 2017 |title=The Inside Story Of Take-Two's New Publishing Label, Private Division |last=Bertz |first=Matt |date=December 14, 2017 |magazine=Game Informer |access-date=December 14, 2017}} The label aids in the development process and works with the developer to create project timelines and milestones, and will help the publish and distribute the games when completed, but does not seek to own the intellectual property of the developers.

With the label's formation on December 14, 2017, Take-Two announced four games already in the works to be published under the label: The Outer Worlds from Obsidian Entertainment, Darkborn (originally as working title Project Wight) from The Outsiders, Disintegration from V1 Interactive, and Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey from Panache Digital Games. Additionally, Kerbal Space Program, acquired earlier by Take-Two from Squad, was re-published under the Private Division label.{{cite web |url=http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2017-12-14-with-private-division-take-two-wants-to-empower-a-new-breed-of-indie-studio |title=With Private Division, Take-Two wants to empower a new breed of indie developer |last=Handrahan |first=Matthew |date=December 14, 2017 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |access-date=December 14, 2017}} In the case of Darkborn, some time in 2018, Private Division and The Outsiders decided to go separate ways, with Private Division stating that they continued to support The Outsiders for several months after the termination of the contract.{{cite web | url = https://www.gamespot.com/articles/gta-parent-companys-indie-label-ends-publishing-de/1100-6468437/ | title = GTA Parent Company's Indie Label Ends Publishing Deal For New Game From Battlefield Dev | first= Eddie | last = Makuch | date = July 15, 2019 | access-date = July 15, 2019 | work = GameSpot }}

In February 2020, Take-Two established a studio within Private Division located at Seattle for development of Kerbal Space Program 2, later named Intercept Games, with several of Star Theory Games staff, including Jeremy Ables and Nate Simpson, joining the new studio.{{cite web | url = https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/take-two-forms-new-studio-for-ksp2-with-original-developers-role-unclear/| title = Take-Two forms new studio for KSP2, with original developer's role unclear | first = Andy | last = Robinson | date = February 20, 2020 | access-date= February 20, 2020 | work = Video Games Chronicle }}{{cite web | url = https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-06-03/kerbal-space-program-2-release-disrupted-by-corporate-strife | title = Game Publisher Cancels Contract With Developer, Then Tries to Poach Its Entire Team| first= Jason | last = Schreier | author-link = Jason Schreier | date = June 3, 2020 | access-date = June 3, 2020 |work = Bloomberg News }}

In July 2020, Private Division announced publishing deals with Moon Studios, League of Geeks and Roll7 for yet-unannounced games.{{cite web | url = https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2020-07-29-private-division-signs-publishing-deals-with-moon-studios-league-of-geeks-and-roll7 | title = Private Division signs publishing deals with Moon Studios, League of Geeks, and Roll7 | first= Rebekah | last = Valentine | date = July 29, 2020 | access-date = July 29, 2020 | work = GamesIndustry.biz }}{{cite web|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/take-twos-private-division-to-publish-games-from-the-makers-of-ori-armello-and-olliolli/|title=Take-Two's Private Division to publish games from the makers of Ori, Armello, and OlliOlli|first=Jonathan|last=Bolding|work=PC Gamer|date=August 4, 2020|access-date=January 28, 2024}} Later, in November 2021, Private Division acquired Roll7.{{cite web | url = https://www.gamespot.com/articles/gta-parent-companys-private-division-buys-olliolli-dev/1100-6498003/ | title = GTA Parent Company's Private Division Buys OlliOlli Dev |first = Eddie | last = Makuch | date = November 15, 2021 | access-date = November 15, 2021 | work = GameSpot }} The game with League of Geeks was cancelled during the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2023-12-06/league-of-geeks-layoffs-2023-jumplight-odyssey/103190382|title=League of Geeks games studio lays off half its workforce, 'indefinitely pauses' production on Jumplight Odyssey|first=Jack|last=Ryan|work=ABC.com|date=December 6, 2023|access-date=January 26, 2024}}

In March 2022, Private Division announced publishing deals with four more studios: Die Gute Fabrik, Evening Star, Piccolo Studio and Yellow Brick Games.{{cite web|url = https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2022-03-16-private-division-pivots-vision-with-smaller-additions|title=Private Division pivots vision with smaller additions}} Die Gute Fabrik and Yellow Brick self-published Saltsea Chronicles (2023) and Eternal Strands (2025) respectively.{{cite web |last=McEvoy |first=Sophie |date=March 28, 2024 |title=Yellow Brick Games leaves publisher to self-publish debut title |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/yellow-brick-games-leaves-publisher-to-self-publish-debut-title |accessdate=June 9, 2024 |work=Gameindustry.biz}}{{cite web|url=https://www.gameshub.com/news/news/private-division-die-gute-fabrik-evening-star-piccolo-14828/|title=Private Division announces partnership with four indie studios|first=Leah|last=J Williams|work=GamesHub|date=March 17, 2022|accessdate=December 11, 2023}} In August, the company announced a partnership with Wētā Workshop to publish a game in the Middle-Earth franchise. The game was revealed to be Tales of the Shire and is scheduled to release in the second half of 2024.{{cite web|title=Private Division to publish Weta Workshop's Lord of the Rings game|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/private-division-to-publish-weta-workshops-lord-of-the-rings-game}}{{Cite web |title=Welcome Home, Hobbit! Private Division and Wētā Workshop Announce Tales of the Shire: A The Lord of the Rings Game {{!}} Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. |url=https://www.take2games.com/ir/news/welcome-home-hobbit-private-division-and-weta-workshop-announce |access-date=2024-05-31 |website=www.take2games.com |language=en}} In December, Private Division announced a publishing deal with Bloober Team to release a survival horror game.{{cite web|url = https://www.gamespot.com/articles/bloober-team-and-private-division-are-working-on-a-survival-horror-game/1100-6510036/|title=Private Division pivots vision with smaller additions}} Private Division would later end up cancelling the publishing deal with Bloober Team in May 2024.{{Cite web|first=James|last= Batchelor |date=2024-05-31 |title=Private Division reportedly drops publishing deal with Bloober Team |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/private-division-reportedly-drops-publishing-deal-with-bloober-team |access-date=2024-05-31 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |language=en}}

In March 2023, an unspecified number of Private Division employees were affected by layoffs as part of parent company Take-Two's effort to save $50 million.{{Cite news |last=Chalk |first=Andy |date=2023-03-07 |title=Take-Two confirms layoffs following 'exponential growth in recent years' |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/take-two-confirms-layoffs-following-exponential-growth-in-recent-years/ |access-date=2024-03-02 |work=PC Gamer |language=en}} In May, Private Division announced a partnership with Pokémon developer Game Freak for an untitled action-adventure game, codenamed Project Bloom.{{Cite web|url=https://www.gematsu.com/2023/05/private-division-announces-publishing-partnership-with-game-freak-for-action-adventure-title-project-bloom|title=Private Division announces publishing partnership with Game Freak for action adventure title ‘Project Bloom’|last=Romano|first=Sal|website=Gematsu|date=May 9, 2023|access-date=May 9, 2023|quote=Due out in fiscal year 2026.}} The game is scheduled to release during Take-Two Interactive's 2026 fiscal year. During a Nintendo Direct in June, Penny's Big Breakaway was unveiled and subsequently released on February 21, 2024.{{Cite web|url=https://www.gematsu.com/2023/06/kinetic-3d-platformer-pennys-big-breakaway-announced-for-ps5-xbox-series-switch-and-pc|title=Kinetic 3D platformer Penny’s Big Breakaway announced for PS5, Xbox Series, Switch, and PC|last=Romano|first=Sal|website=Gematsu|date=June 21, 2023|access-date=June 21, 2023}}{{cite web |last=Reynolds |first=Ollie |title=Surprise! Penny's Big Breakaway Is Available To Download Right Now |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2024/02/surprise-pennys-big-breakaway-is-available-to-download-right-now |website=Nintendo Life |date=February 21, 2024 |archive-date=February 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226034707/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2024/02/surprise-pennys-big-breakaway-is-available-to-download-right-now |access-date=February 26, 2024 }}

In April 2024, Take-Two Interactive stated their intent to cut 5% of the workforce by the end of 2024. GamesIndustry.biz reported that this led to a "vast majority" of Private Division's staff across their offices in Seattle, New York, Las Vegas, and Munich being let go in May, including shuttering Roll7 and Intercept Games.{{Cite web |last=Batchelor |first=James |date=2024-05-02 |title=Take-Two reportedly shuts down Roll7 and Intercept Games, Private Division suffers layoffs |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/take-two-reportedly-shuts-down-roll7-and-intercept-games-private-division-suffers-mass-layoffs |access-date=2024-05-02 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |language=en}}{{Cite news |last=Schreier |first=Jason |date=2024-05-01 |title=Take-Two Interactive Shuts Down Two Game Studios |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-05-01/take-two-interactive-shuts-down-two-game-studios |access-date=2024-05-02 |work=Bloomberg.com |language=en}} IGN would go on to report that Take-Two is planning to shut down Private Division.{{Cite web |last=Valentine |first=Rebekah |date=2024-05-31 |title=Take-Two Is Quietly Killing Private Division |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/take-two-is-quietly-killing-private-division |access-date=2024-05-31 |website=IGN |language=en}} In November, Take-Two's CEO Strauss Zelnick confirmed that the company had sold Private Division to an undisclosed buyer for an undisclosed sum, as to allow Take-Two to focus on AAA and mobile games. The company also affirmed the closure of Roll7 and Intercept Games. Take-Two would continue to support No Rest for the Wicked, while five other titles were transferred to the new buyer.{{Cite web |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/zelnick-on-private-division-sale-those-projects-were-smaller-were-in-the-business-of-big-hits |title=Zelnick on Private Division sale: "Those projects were smaller, we're in the business of big hits" |last=Batchelor |first=James |date=November 6, 2024 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |access-date=November 6, 2024}} Jason Schreier of Bloomberg News reported in January 2025 that the purchase was made by the investment firm Haveli Investments, who brought in the former staff of Annapurna Interactive who had left in September 2024 to manage the publishing duties for the remaining games in Private Division's roster, under an unnamed label.https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-01-07/ex-annapurna-video-game-staff-to-absorb-former-take-two-label-private-division

• Intercept Games in Seattle, Washington, founded in February 2020, closed in 2024.
• Roll7 in London, England, founded in 2008, acquired in November 2021 and closed in 2024.

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• {{Official website|https://www.privatedivision.com/}}

{{Take-Two Interactive}}

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