Ex-Annapurna Staff Reportedly Snap Up Private Division's Portfolio | Push Square

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Following its exodus last year, the former staff of Annapurna Interactive have reportedly reassembled as a new company and taken control of indie label Private Division’s entire portfolio. The latter was itself sold by Take-Two last year.

If true, the complicated corporate story would effectively see the team responsible for indie hits like Outer Wilds and Sayonara Wild Hearts assume control of the Kerbal Space Program series, upcoming Lord of the Rings agricultural sim Tales of the Shire, and the next game from Pokémon dev Game Freak.

Annapurna Interactive’s entire team walked last year following a dispute with owner Megan Ellison. Meanwhile, Take-Two sold its indie publishing label to an unnamed buyer, which according to Bloomberg, is Texas-based private equity firm Haveli Investments.

After a failed spin-off attempt

New owner to be announced in due course

It’s claimed that Haveli Investments has struck a deal with the former Annapurna Interactive team to fund their new company and place them in charge of distributing its titles. Considering the team’s undoubted publishing talent, it doesn’t seem like the worst decision in the world.

However, it does come with caveats: Bloomberg reports that the 20 or so Private Division employees Haveli Investments inherited as part of the purchase could be made redundant, although nothing has been confirmed at this stage.

As the Editor of Push Square, Sammy has over 15 years of experience analysing the world of PlayStation, from PS3 through PS5 and everything in between. He’s an expert on PS Studios and industry matters, as well as sports games and simulators. He also enjoys RPGs when he has the time to dedicate to them, and is a bit of a gacha whale.

I just hope their Blade Runner game is still in development.

I met some of the former staff from Annapurna a long time ago and they couldn't have been nicer people. Whatever this next endeavor is, I hope it isn't diluted by some money-burning nepo baby like Megan Ellison.

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