Private Division Hires Ex-Annapurna Interactive Team
Former Annapurna Staff Acquire Private Division
Following a tumultuous period, former employees of Annapurna Interactive have acquired the operations of Private Division, previously a Take-Two Interactive subsidiary. This acquisition comes after the majority of Annapurna Interactive's staff departed in September 2024 due to failed negotiations with Annapurna Pictures CEO Megan Ellison.
Annapurna Interactive, known for publishing acclaimed titles like Stray, Kentucky Route Zero, and What Remains of Edith Finch, experienced a significant restructuring in 2024. Private Division, established in 2017, was sold by Take-Two Interactive in November 2024, with the buyer remaining undisclosed initially. The sale resulted in widespread layoffs within Private Division.
According to journalist Jason Schreier, the undisclosed buyer is reportedly Haveli Investments, an Austin-based private equity firm. Haveli and the former Annapurna employees have reportedly partnered to manage Private Division's existing game portfolio, including the anticipated Tales of the Shire (March 2025 release), the long-running Kerbal Space Program, and an unannounced project from Pokémon developer Game Freak.
Industry Instability Continues
The September 2024 departure of most Annapurna Interactive staff followed a breakdown in negotiations with CEO Megan Ellison. While Haveli's acquisition of Private Division retained approximately twenty employees, further layoffs are expected to accommodate the incoming Annapurna team. The future direction of the combined entity, including its name, IP strategy, and new projects, remains uncertain.
This merger mirrors the wider gaming industry's recent instability, marked by substantial layoffs and studio closures. The integration of two groups of displaced game developers highlights the industry's current climate, characterized by investor hesitancy towards high-risk, large-scale projects.
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