Private Division Now Under Former Annapurna Staff

Summary

Former Annapurna Interactive employees have acquired Private Division, a former Take-Two Interactive subsidiary. The majority of Annapurna Interactive's workforce departed in September 2024 following unsuccessful negotiations with Annapurna Pictures CEO Megan Ellison.

Annapurna Interactive, prior to its upheaval, published acclaimed games such as Stray, Kentucky Route Zero, and What Remains of Edith Finch. Private Division, established in 2017, was sold by Take-Two Interactive in November 2024, with the buyer and the studio's future uncertain at the time. The sale resulted in significant layoffs.

According to Jason Schreier, Haveli Investments, an Austin-based private equity firm, is the alleged buyer. Haveli and the former Annapurna staff have reportedly partnered to manage Private Division's remaining titles, including Tales of the Shire (slated for March 2025), the Kerbal Space Program, and an unannounced Game Freak project.

Private Division's Restructuring Reflects Industry Instability

The mass exodus from Annapurna Interactive in September 2024 followed failed negotiations with CEO Megan Ellison. While Haveli's acquisition retained approximately twenty Private Division employees, further layoffs are anticipated to accommodate the incoming Annapurna team. The new entity's name, future direction, and plans for new IP remain undisclosed.

The merger of Annapurna and Private Division's assets highlights the gaming industry's current climate. Recent years have witnessed widespread layoffs and studio closures, reflecting shifting investor priorities and a decreased appetite for high-risk, large-scale projects. The integration of two groups of displaced game developers symbolizes the industry's increasingly aggressive approach to cost-cutting and risk mitigation.