Annapurna Interactive 前员工接管 Private Division

Executive Summary

Following a breakdown in negotiations with Annapurna Pictures CEO Megan Ellison, the majority of Annapurna Interactive's staff departed in September 2024. Subsequently, these former employees have acquired the operational reins of Private Division, a studio previously under Take-Two Interactive's ownership.

Annapurna Interactive, prior to its 2024 restructuring, was renowned for publishing acclaimed titles 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 initially remaining anonymous. This sale resulted in significant layoffs within Private Division.

According to journalist Jason Schreier, the acquiring entity is reportedly Austin-based Haveli Investments, a private equity firm specializing in technology and gaming. Haveli and the former Annapurna staff have reportedly forged an agreement to manage and distribute Private Division's portfolio, including Tales of the Shire (slated for a March 2025 release), the ongoing Kerbal Space Program, and an unannounced project from Game Freak, the Pokémon developers.

Private Division's Transition Reflects Industry Instability

The September 2024 departure of most Annapurna Interactive employees followed failed negotiations with CEO Megan Ellison. While Haveli's acquisition of Private Division retained approximately twenty employees, further layoffs are anticipated to accommodate the incoming Annapurna team. The future direction of this newly merged entity, including its name, IP strategy, and project pipeline, remains undetermined.

This merger mirrors the wider gaming industry's recent turbulence, marked by widespread layoffs and studio closures. The integration of two groups of displaced game industry professionals underscores the aggressive, risk-averse strategies now prevalent, driven by investor hesitancy towards large-scale, high-risk projects.