Devastating news for fans of pioneering online studio Rooster Teeth, and for its many employees and contractors in Austin and beyond: the creative force behind Red vs. Blue, RWBY, gen:LOCK and more is closing.
The organisation is a division of Warner Bros. Discovery, a company known for cost-cutting and layoffs in the entertainment sector. At an all-hands meeting this morning, the decision was shared with the staff. The original RT Podcast, Tales From the Stinky Dragon, F**k Face, and other episodes are hosted on the Roost podcast network, which will remain operational. The studio’s final season of Red vs. Blue, the show that started it all, will air on streaming services. Discussions are also ongoing to find homes for the company’s biggest shows and their archives.
Jordan Levin, general manager of Rooster Teeth, stated that the choice was taken “really recently.” “It would be misleading to say it hasn’t been an option,” he continued, nevertheless. But as the media landscape changed so quickly, “we could not find a sustainable path forward.”
Rooster Teeth was founded on April 1, 2003, by Burnie Burns, Matt Hullum, Geoff Ramsey, Gus Sorola, and Joel Heyman in Austin, Texas. The company initially gained popularity for its flagship series, “Red vs. Blue,” a comedic science fiction machinima (animated using video game technology) created using the game Halo. “Red vs. Blue” became a massive success and played a crucial role in establishing Rooster Teeth’s presence in the online entertainment space. Over the years, the company diversified its content, producing a variety of animated and live-action series, including “RWBY,” “Achievement Hunter,” “The Rooster Teeth Podcast,” and “Immersion.”
Rooster Teeth expanded its reach through its online platform, which included a subscription service called Rooster Teeth First, providing early access to content and exclusive perks for subscribers. The company also engaged in philanthropy, hosting charity events like Extra Life to raise funds for children’s hospitals.
In July 2013, “RWBY”, a popular animated series created by Monty Oum and produced by Rooster Teeth. The show follows four main characters – Ruby, Weiss, Blake, and Yang – as they train to become Huntresses in the world of Remnant, battling dangerous creatures called Grimm.
Named after the characters’ colors (Red, White, Black, Yellow), “RWBY” showcases unique abilities called Semblances and features the use of Dust, a powerful energy source. The series evolved in animation quality and storytelling, expanding its narrative with each volume.
Despite the passing of creator Monty Oum in 2015, “RWBY” continued, paying homage to his vision. The show has a devoted fanbase, inspiring merchandise and video games, although it has faced both praise and criticism for its creativity, characters, and animation choices.
In 2014, Rooster Teeth was acquired by Fullscreen, a multi-channel network, which, in turn, was later acquired by AT&T and The Chernin Group.
Despite changes in ownership, Rooster Teeth continued to produce content and grow its community. The company faced some challenges and internal changes over the years, with founders taking on different roles and new leadership coming in. Despite this, Rooster Teeth maintained its status as a significant player in the online entertainment industry, with a dedicated fanbase and a diverse range of content.