"A completely cruel and baffling decision": Industry anger over GTA 6 publisher's closure of two acclaimed studios despite commercial successes and CEO's $26 million pay rise

Games"A completely cruel and baffling decision": Industry anger over GTA 6 publisher’s closure of two acclaimed studios despite commercial successes and CEO’s $26 million pay riseWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. Games"A completely cruel and baffling decision": Industry anger over GTA 6 publisher’s closure of two acclaimed studios despite commercial successes and CEO’s $26 million pay riseWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. (Image credit: Roll7) Game developers have reacted to news of Take-Two shuttering two studios in the context ofGTA 6’s imminent release and publishing boss Strauss Zelnick’s pay check. Yesterday, May 1,Bloombergreported that Take-Two would be shutting down British developer Roll7, and Seattle-based studio Intercept Games. This is actually part ofTake-Two’s previously-announced 600 layoffslast month in April, so it means the developers being laid off from both studios are included in the 600 people being left jobless. Now, developers and other industry personnel are reacting to news of the studio closures under Take-Two. The two tweets below, for example, point out how corporations can turn on individuals and throw away the human elements incredibly rapidly, despite the fact that said corporation is worth upwards of 24 billion USD in market capitalization. The large corporate cycle is just gushing about people, culture, the human element, teamwork & pride. And then when operational failures lead the mass layoffs, the human element is so deliberately thrown away. The mask peeled off. Corporations do not care about you. https://t.co/mELiiutmWTMay 1, 2024 The large corporate cycle is just gushing about people, culture, the human element, teamwork & pride. And then when operational failures lead the mass layoffs, the human element is so deliberately thrown away. The mask peeled off. Corporations do not care about you. https://t.co/mELiiutmWTMay 1, 2024 https://t.co/4Dqze5lvK8 pic.twitter.com/qcSXoZk2YWMay 1, 2024 https://t.co/4Dqze5lvK8 pic.twitter.com/qcSXoZk2YWMay 1, 2024 Elsewhere, the two tweets below point out that Roll7 released not one, but two critically-acclaimed games less than two years ago in 2022. Rollerdrome and OlliOlli World are two beloved, award-winning games, but the tweets below point out that being award-winning, recognizable, and profitable in the games industry inexplicably still couldn’t save Roll7 from Take-Two’s layoffs. You can create a Golden Joystick nominated Indie game that has 9/10 on IGN and Steam reviews, wins a BAFTA for best British Game, is profitable, and the megacorps will still shut you down 💔 https://t.co/7Pm1DGYqW6May 1, 2024 You can create a Golden Joystick nominated Indie game that has 9/10 on IGN and Steam reviews, wins a BAFTA for best British Game, is profitable, and the megacorps will still shut you down 💔 https://t.co/7Pm1DGYqW6May 1, 2024 Roll7 released not one but two GOTY contenders in 2022. Genuinely cannot imagine how devastated that team must be right now. Just a completely cruel and baffling decision. https://t.co/oR7o3FzFxHMay 1, 2024 Roll7 released not one but two GOTY contenders in 2022. Genuinely cannot imagine how devastated that team must be right now. Just a completely cruel and baffling decision. https://t.co/oR7o3FzFxHMay 1, 2024 Others, meanwhile, have called into question Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick’s financial compensation from the company that just shut down two developers and left hundreds without a job. The tweets rightly point out that Zelnick, who received more than double his standard financial compensation last year, going from $16 million to $42 million, could have quite literally kept both studios afloat with the money he earned from that year alone. It may be time for another episode of Upsetting Math & Corporate Greed 🙃~70 Intercept devs + ~60 Roll7 devs (based on report & LinkedIn estimation)130 x $75,000 = $9,750,000So for less than 1/4 of one man’s compensation, you could keep all the devs employed for one year https://t.co/yx67vEsFniMay 2, 2024 It may be time for another episode of Upsetting Math & Corporate Greed 🙃~70 Intercept devs + ~60 Roll7 devs (based on report & LinkedIn estimation)130 x $75,000 = $9,750,000So for less than 1/4 of one man’s compensation, you could keep all the devs employed for one year https://t.co/yx67vEsFniMay 2, 2024 Reminder that at least 2 execs from Take-Two received $70 million bonus last year.The money that could directly benefit their studio’s creating BAFTA winning games going into the pockets of 2 people last year.So sorry to the teams at Roll7 and Intercept 💔 pic.twitter.com/czZ0xwrfTYMay 2, 2024 Reminder that at least 2 execs from Take-Two received $70 million bonus last year.The money that could directly benefit their studio’s creating BAFTA winning games going into the pockets of 2 people last year.So sorry to the teams at Roll7 and Intercept 💔 pic.twitter.com/czZ0xwrfTYMay 2, 2024 Additionally, others are pointing out that Take-Two stands to massively benefit from releasingGTA 6, one of the most anticipated games of all time, next year in 2025. GTA 5 earned a record-breaking $8.5 billion since launch in 2013, which has no doubt helped propel Take-Two to the financial heights it’s now sat at, along with Zelnick’s inflated pay check. Take-Two will be making a boat load from GTA: 6 soon but it’s not enough to keep a BAFTA Game winning studio open to follow-up on their groundbreaking work - the money / culture gap in gaming growing and the job cuts just keep on coming - troubling time for games makers. https://t.co/QDVWs8sgjLMay 1, 2024 Take-Two will be making a boat load from GTA: 6 soon but it’s not enough to keep a BAFTA Game winning studio open to follow-up on their groundbreaking work - the money / culture gap in gaming growing and the job cuts just keep on coming - troubling time for games makers. https://t.co/QDVWs8sgjLMay 1, 2024 There’s also the money Take-Two is making right now, before GTA 6 releases, to consider. The Radical Forge developer below makes the very valid point that Take-Two earns fromGTA Online’s players making in-game purchases, and what’s more, the publisher also earns money from microtransactions in the NBA 2K series, an annual series which retains millions of players around the world year upon year. Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more I’m speechless. How was this even necessary with the kind of money Take-Two are making from GTA Online? So much greed, it’s never enough. https://t.co/KQRfVHiuSoMay 1, 2024 I’m speechless. How was this even necessary with the kind of money Take-Two are making from GTA Online? So much greed, it’s never enough. https://t.co/KQRfVHiuSoMay 1, 2024 It’s also worth noting that Take-Two purchased Borderlands studioGearboxlast month, opening a $460 million hole in its finances. That’s a substantial figure, one that the company is likely to be looking to fill, but it remains in the context of the billions that Take-Two has made in recent years. Meanwhile,Baldur’s Gate 3’s lead has told layoff-happy publishers to stop trying to “double” their money and instead “respect the people making the games.” See more Games News PRODUCTSOlliOlliKerbal Space Program 2 PRODUCTS More about games"Beyond Good and Evil’s influence is 2000% Miyazaki": 21 years on, the developers behind Ubisoft’s cult classic reflect on how it came to be"We were honouring Sonic’s holistic history which includes both designs": 13 years on, Takashi Iizuka reveals why Sonic Generations need twice the ‘hogsLatest26 years later, Codemasters’ Chris Southall talks Colin McRae Rally: “We wanted to do something that was an authentic rally experience for the hardware of the time"See more latest► More about games"Beyond Good and Evil’s influence is 2000% Miyazaki”: 21 years on, the developers behind Ubisoft’s cult classic reflect on how it came to be"We were honouring Sonic’s holistic history which includes both designs": 13 years on, Takashi Iizuka reveals why Sonic Generations need twice the ‘hogsLatest26 years later, Codemasters’ Chris Southall talks Colin McRae Rally: “We wanted to do something that was an authentic rally experience for the hardware of the time"See more latest► More about games"Beyond Good and Evil’s influence is 2000% Miyazaki”: 21 years on, the developers behind Ubisoft’s cult classic reflect on how it came to be"We were honouring Sonic’s holistic history which includes both designs": 13 years on, Takashi Iizuka reveals why Sonic Generations need twice the ‘hogs More about games “Beyond Good and Evil’s influence is 2000% Miyazaki”: 21 years on, the developers behind Ubisoft’s cult classic reflect on how it came to be"We were honouring Sonic’s holistic history which includes both designs": 13 years on, Takashi Iizuka reveals why Sonic Generations need twice the ‘hogs “Beyond Good and Evil’s influence is 2000% Miyazaki”: 21 years on, the developers behind Ubisoft’s cult classic reflect on how it came to be “Beyond Good and Evil’s influence is 2000% Miyazaki”: 21 years on, the developers behind Ubisoft’s cult classic reflect on how it came to be “We were honouring Sonic’s holistic history which includes both designs”: 13 years on, Takashi Iizuka reveals why Sonic Generations need twice the ‘hogs “We were honouring Sonic’s holistic history which includes both designs”: 13 years on, Takashi Iizuka reveals why Sonic Generations need twice the ‘hogs Latest26 years later, Codemasters’ Chris Southall talks Colin McRae Rally: “We wanted to do something that was an authentic rally experience for the hardware of the time"See more latest► Latest 26 years later, Codemasters’ Chris Southall talks Colin McRae Rally: “We wanted to do something that was an authentic rally experience for the hardware of the time” 26 years later, Codemasters’ Chris Southall talks Colin McRae Rally: “We wanted to do something that was an authentic rally experience for the hardware of the time” 26 years later, Codemasters’ Chris Southall talks Colin McRae Rally: “We wanted to do something that was an authentic rally experience for the hardware of the time” See more latest► Most Popular Elder Scrolls modders have released a playable part of the ambitious Project Tamriel, which aims to recreate all of the beloved RPG’s regions in Morrowind Disney Plus' new Spider-Man show is no longer canon in the MCU because it was “not fun” to put limitations on its story Master Chief’s absence from Halo Wars wasn’t Bungie’s fault, it was a move to make players “care about everybody else” in the RTS One of Sonic 3’s writers threatens us with a good time in a future movie: “We gotta get Big the Cat in there in some capacity” This nifty gadget turns any M.2 SSD into a portable drive, but it’s great for when you’re upgrading your PC too League of Legends co-creator responds to report that Arcane was a “financial miss,” says “people think we make things like Arcane to sell skins, when in reality we sell skins to make things like Arcane” After hours of number-crunching, one Marvel Rivals player has laid out the true meta – and Iron Fist’s ranking feels alarming James Gunn says his DC shows will likely stick to the “one episode a week” schedule moving forward: “It affords a quality show an opportunity to be discussed” Just two weeks after its theatrical release, Lord of the Ring: The War of Rohirrim is heading to digital Escape the horrors of family time this holiday with Slitterhead’s first ever discount GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now"2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now"2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now"2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now"2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS 1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 1 Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 2 Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 3 Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 4 Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 5 Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 1 Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 2 Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3 Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4 The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5 Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 1 Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2 Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3 Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 4 Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 5 Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”