Rooster Teeth Production Company Closes After 21 Years

Rooster Teeth, the renowned production company known for animated series like Red vs. Blue and RWBY, is shutting down after failing to find a buyer. Warner Bros. Discovery is in talks to sell the rights to their shows.

Rooster Teeth Production Company Closes After 21 Years

Rooster Teeth, the renowned production company known for creating popular animated series such as Red vs. Blue and RWBY, is sadly closing its doors after 21 years. The decision to shut down came after its parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery, failed to find a buyer for the company. In a memo shared by General Manager Jordan Levin on the official Rooster Teeth website, he expressed his sadness over the challenges faced by digital media due to shifts in consumer behavior and monetization across platforms.

( Credit to: Ign )

Levin stated, “Our legacy is not just a collection of content but a history of pixels burned into our screens, minds, and hearts.” This sentiment reflects the impact that Rooster Teeth has had on its dedicated fanbase over the years.

As for the fate of Rooster Teeth’s animated series, Warner Bros. Discovery is currently in talks to sell the rights to shows such as Red vs. Blue, RWBY, and gen:LOCK. Red vs. Blue, in particular, is set to release a final full-length feature film later this year. Additionally, The Roost, a podcast network featuring various genres, will continue its operations, but Warner Bros. Discovery is also exploring options to sell off this division.

Fan and Employee Reactions to Rooster Teeth’s Closure

The news of Rooster Teeth’s closure has saddened both fans and former employees, who took to social media to express their feelings. Former employees Ashley Burns and Lawrence Sonntag, who left the company in 2019, shared their mixed emotions about the closure. They acknowledged the challenging times they experienced while working at Rooster Teeth but also expressed their hopes for better outcomes for everyone involved.

The sudden announcement of the company’s shutdown has raised concerns about the treatment of its employees. Reports suggest that staff members were only informed a few hours before the news became public, leaving them with little time to process the situation.

Rooster Teeth’s Impact on the Entertainment Industry

Rooster Teeth played a significant role in shaping the careers and aspirations of many individuals in the entertainment industry. The company’s collaborative and creative environment inspired countless artists and content creators. Despite facing controversy, including allegations of a toxic work environment, Rooster Teeth’s impact on the industry cannot be denied.

Founded in 2003 by Burnie Burns, Matt Hullum, Geoff Ramsey, Jason Saldaña, Gus Sorola, and Joel Heyman, Rooster Teeth quickly gained recognition with its first production, Red vs. Blue. This web series, set in the universe of the popular video game franchise Halo, became a fan-favorite. Over the years, Rooster Teeth expanded its repertoire to include animated shows, podcasts, Let’s Plays, video game development programming, live-action shows, and even full-length feature films like Lazer Team.

Rooster Teeth’s journey took an interesting turn when it was acquired by Fullscreen in 2014. Subsequently, it became part of Warner Bros. Discovery after a joint venture between AT&T and Chernin Group called Otter Media in 2018. Finally, in 2022, Discovery, Inc., and WarnerMedia merged to form Warner Bros. Discovery, placing Rooster Teeth under the Warner Media umbrella.

The Legacy and Future of Rooster Teeth’s Animated Series

The closure of Rooster Teeth marks the end of an era in the world of digital media. It leaves behind a legacy of beloved animated series and a dedicated fanbase that will cherish the memories created by the talented team at Rooster Teeth.

As for the fate of Rooster Teeth’s animated series, Warner Bros. Discovery is currently in talks to sell the rights to shows such as Red vs. Blue, RWBY, and gen:LOCK. Red vs. Blue, in particular, is set to release a final full-length feature film later this year. Additionally, The Roost, a podcast network featuring various genres, will continue its operations, but Warner Bros. Discovery is also exploring options to sell off this division.