While it’s never fun to report on the closure of any development house, this is part of the business so we must. Recently Take-Two Interactive has announced that they have closed down the Chinese based 2K studio, 2K China, and all development on the Chinese only title “Borderlands Online” has stopped. Take-Two Interactive has since stated the reasoning for closing down the studio was due to the title simply not being a profitable venture.
“At this time, we can confirm that we are closing 2K China,” said the company in a statement. “We are determined that the additional time required to finish current projects at the studio, particularly Borderlands Online, would not yield a favorable return on investment.”
Reportedly 150 jobs will be affected due to the closure of the studio, however Take-Two Interactive hasn’t left those who were let go high and dry, as they are in talks with the let go staff, to see if they can locate other opportunities within the company, if any exist.
Borderlands Online was announced nearly 1 year ago as an exclusive online title for China, injunction with Shanda Games, 2K Games and Gearbox software. The game was slated for a 2015 launch, even though the Chinese MMO market is largely over-saturated. That’ last part is equally important and seems to fall inline with Take Two Interactive’s reasoning for the cancellation of the title and shuttering of the studio.
