Former Annapurna Interactive Team Acquires Private Division Portfolio, Including Kerbal Space Program and OlliOlli

In a significant move for the video game industry, the former staff of Annapurna Interactive have come together to establish a new company and have officially acquired the entire Private Division portfolio.

This development follows a high-profile walk-out that occurred last year after a dispute with Annapurna Interactive’s owner, Megan Ellison, and has been reported by Bloomberg and GamesIndustry.biz. The acquisition encompasses full rights to all games previously published under the Private Division label.

The portfolio was obtained from Haveli Investments, the Texas-based firm that took over Private Division after Take-Two Interactive divested the division in 2024 to concentrate on its primary business interests.

While the new company’s name has not yet been disclosed, sources indicate that this deal likely means significant operational changes.

Bloomberg noted that approximately 20 employees who joined Private Division during the Haveli Investments ownership may face layoffs as a result of the transition. Securing Private Division’s assets grants the new studio control over hit franchises like Kerbal Space Program and OlliOlli—both renowned for their innovative gameplay and critical acclaim.

Although both development studios had previously been closed, the rights to these properties now rest with the new company, potentially opening up future opportunities for these beloved series on platforms like the Nintendo Switch.

Additionally, the deal includes distribution rights for upcoming releases such as Tales of the Shire: A The Lord of the Rings Game and Project Bloom, an eagerly anticipated action-adventure title from Pokémon developer Game Freak. Megan Ellison, owner of Annapurna Interactive, issued a statement following last year’s staff departures, emphasizing that the company’s top focus was to “continue supporting our developer and publishing partners throughout this period of transition.” Annapurna Interactive, which has brought acclaimed titles such as Outer Wilds, Lorelei and the Laser Eyes, and Stray to the Nintendo Switch, has since embarked on a major recruitment campaign to rebuild its team following the mass resignation. This acquisition underscores the dynamic nature of the video game publishing landscape, with former Annapurna Interactive employees leveraging their industry experience to take charge of a distinguished portfolio.

The move is expected to influence both the future of the Kerbal Space Program and OlliOlli franchises and the ongoing rollout of anticipated releases like Tales of the Shire and Project Bloom across multiple platforms, including the Nintendo Switch. For Nintendo Switch users and the broader gaming community, the transition marks a new chapter not only for these iconic games but also for the developers behind them.

As the newly formed team steps into their expanded role, the industry will be watching closely to see how these properties evolve in the months ahead.

Nintendo Switch Annapurna Interactive Private Division Kerbal Space Program OlliOlli Tales of the Shire Project Bloom Nintendo Switch