In 2024, in what was already a bad year for developers, we received the news that an entire division ofAnnapurna Interactivewillingly resigned afterfailed negotiations with the top brass.
While the future was uncertain, Bloomberg now confirmsthat the whole team will head the franchises made underPrivate Divisionstudios,which is known for publishing mid-sized games, includingThe Outer WorldsandHades.
10 Most Anticipated Indie Games of 2025
The independent games line-up for the next year is looking sharp.
Private Division was initially established byTake-Two Interactivein 2017 to serve as a bridge betweenmassive AAA productionsandsmaller indie projectsbefore it was sold off last November to Haveli Investments, an Austin-based private equity firm who asked not to be identified.
The stated equity firm is also the one responsible for bringing in the ex-employees of Annapurna Interactive,further granting them access to Private Division studios IP and resourcesto be led from that point on.
Private Division Partners With Pokemon Developer To “Unleash Potential” With New Action-Adventure Game
The tone will be vastly different from Pokemon.
The transition of Private Division’s leadership to former Annapurna Interactive employees is expected to bring a new perspective to the studio’s operations. Annapurna’s approach to the gaming industryhas always seemed unique and fresh, making it one of the reasons why it was able to establish itself asone of the best indie studios.
Changes To Private Division Studio Following Take-Over From Annapurna Ex-Employees
When the equity firm acquired Private Division, the studio reportedly had nearly 20 employees. However, with the change in leadership,potential layoffsare imminent for the team.
While the incoming Annapurna alumni are expected to bring fresh ideas, the challenge lies in balancing these new visions with the existing team’s expertise and contributions.
50 Best Indie Games of All Time
Forget blockbuster AAA games! We want some plucky little indies!
For players, this leadership change could mean a new array of gaming experiences from Private Division. Fans of Annapurna’s emotionally rich and innovative titles may find similar qualities infused into Private Division’s future projects.
This also means it is also highly likely that we will now get to see more experimental titles and unconventional projects from the studio soon, bearing in mind that the team of experienced ex-employees now might retain a higher level of creative freedom than ever before.
10 Best Indie Games On Steam Deck
The Steam Deck is an absolute beast of a handheld, able to run just about any indie game you could want, and these are the best.
