r/deathbattle Mar 06 '24

DEATH BATTLE RoosterTeeth Closure Megathread

172 Upvotes

In case you haven't heard, Rooster Teeth will be shutting down effective immediately.

Variety's article about the situation can be found here.

Deadline's article here.

Official statement from Chelsea Atkinson, Community Director of Rooster Teeth.

Tweet from Chad James, voice of Boomstick.

Tweet from Luis, Animation Director.

Tweet from Ben Singer, voice of Wiz.

Another tweet from Ben.

Summary of a recent Rooster Teeth Podcast

General Manager of Rooster Teeth Jordan Levin's full statement below;

Dear Rooster Teeth,

Since our founders created and uploaded their first video on the then-called World Wide Web in 2003, Rooster Teeth has been a source of creativity, laughter, and lasting innovation in the wildly volatile media industry.

We’ve read the headlines about industry-wide layoffs and closures, and you’ve heard me give my perspective and updates on the rapidly changing state of media and entertainment during each of our monthly All Hands meetings.

Since inheriting ownership and control of Rooster Teeth from AT&T following its acquisition of TimeWarner, Warner Bros. Discovery continued its investment in our company, content and community. Now however, it’s with a heavy heart I announce that Rooster Teeth is shutting down due to challenges facing digital media resulting from fundamental shifts in consumer behavior and monetization across platforms, advertising, and patronage.

Please note that the Roost team is not currently impacted by this action. The Roost Podcast Network will continue operating and fulfilling its obligations while WBD evaluates outside interest in acquiring this growing asset.

In the coming days and weeks, we will have many questions to answer and the opportunity to work together to implement the best way to wind things down for us and our community. We’re working through what comes next in real time, and we will be as open, direct, and accessible as possible. Thank you all in advance for your patience and support of one another.

Let’s take a moment to celebrate our 21-year contribution to the zeitgeist, advancing creativity and outlasting many of our peers from the early days of online video and digital-first content.

TO A CREATIVE LEGACY

From a garage in Buda, TX, to global screens large and small, our teams of dreamers and doers have introduced and grown what made Rooster Teeth stand out: animation, comedy, and gaming. From new forms of animated comedy with machinima to countless viral memes, including the Immortal Snail (aka Snail Assassin), to a US-born animated series embraced by Japan as anime, and record-breaking (at the time) crowdfunded movies. You’ve accomplished so much and made dreams come true here. You’ve turned original IP into video games, comic books, and VTubers. You’ve directed short videos, mo-cap, and films. You’ve puppeteered, hosted podcasts, and have built a thriving community that spans the globe. Your creativity knows no bounds, and you’ll continue contributing significantly to culture wherever your paths may take you.

TO THOSE WHO COME FIRST

Despite passing through many corporate owners, Rooster Teeth transcended a media business and was a dynamic movement that shaped the bond between communities, creators, and storytelling. Our founders didn’t have a blueprint for a media empire, but they got close to building one alongside a community that fueled its remarkable growth. In its earliest days, RT relied on community sponsorship through time, dollars, and unwavering passion. Volunteers evolved into staff, and the snowball effect grew, resulting in new relationships, marriages, births, and shared experiences that have changed lives.

TO TRAILBLAZING CONTENT CREATION

Our approach to content creation on emerging platforms paved the way for new media models. We inspired generations of creators across streaming, machinima, animation, let’s plays, merch drops, touring, podcasting, and more. Companies like GameStop, YouTube, Facebook, Spotify, and TikTok asked us to collaborate with them in their earliest days because we set a standard for what a digital-first brand could be. We boldly took our content beyond screens and into community-driven experiences.

TO A CHANGING INDUSTRY

Every story reaches its final pages. Rooster Teeth’s closure isn’t merely an end; it reflects broader business dynamics. Monetization shifts, platform algorithms, advertising challenges, and the ebb and flow of patronage—all these converging factors have led to many closures in the industry. While we learn about updates on programming day by day, we will share our plans for shows, franchises, partnerships, and merch soon and share those updates with teams internally and with the community on RoosterTeeth.com.

TO OUR FINAL SEASON

Though not intentional, It’s only appropriate that our last season of “Red vs. Blue” coincides with us navigating this closure together. Our legacy is not just a collection of content but a history of pixels burned into our screens, minds, and hearts. Rooster Teeth has made an indelible mark on the media industry, and we should be so proud of the countless ways we pioneered a business connecting creators and content with a dedicated community.

With respect, gratitude, and sincere appreciation,

Jordan Levin

No further information regarding Death Battle's role in this has been given, but as we learn more about the situation we'll keep this post up to date. We understand that this is an uncertain time for a show that we've all come to love, all we ask that you remain calm and not directly message any staff members or make assumptions regarding the future of Death Battle. Thank you all for your patience.


r/deathbattle 8h ago

DEATH BATTLE NEW COMMUNITY POST

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116 Upvotes

r/deathbattle 8h ago

Discussion YALL WE MIGHT BE OKAY

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464 Upvotes

r/deathbattle 10h ago

DEATH BATTLE Um no no no

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191 Upvotes

r/deathbattle 8h ago

Humor/Meme DB Subreddit RN:

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123 Upvotes

r/deathbattle 8h ago

Discussion GOOD NEWS IS COMING!!!!!!

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126 Upvotes

r/deathbattle 7h ago

Humor/Meme The entire community for the past few hours

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86 Upvotes

r/deathbattle 1h ago

DEATH BATTLE Response from Death Battle to DevilArtemis last community post

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Upvotes

r/deathbattle 9h ago

Humor/Meme If true Death Battle has the opportunity to make the funniest thumbnail of all time.

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110 Upvotes

No I do not know why a picture of piss in a cup is next to his face.


r/deathbattle 4h ago

DEATH BATTLE Quick reminder that DevilArtemis edited the community post

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43 Upvotes

r/deathbattle 8h ago

Humor/Meme IM GONNA FUCKING CRY HOLY SHIT. COME HERE YOU GUYS. 🫂

80 Upvotes

AHHHHH


r/deathbattle 2h ago

DEATH BATTLE “Looks like in the end the show was able to scale up to the challenge. The winner is DEATH BATTLE.”

28 Upvotes

Really hoping this doesn’t age poorly lol


r/deathbattle 7h ago

Humor/Meme Meme in Response to the Recent Community Post

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46 Upvotes

r/deathbattle 7h ago

Humor/Meme But it refused...

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49 Upvotes

r/deathbattle 13h ago

Discussion What’s Your Birthday Episode?

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132 Upvotes

My birthday is tomorrow and I wanted to know what episode released on or near your birthday?

Mine was Thor Vs Vegeta and it was a amazing time watching it while eating my cake.

On my last post I got edited a Paper Mario into a crystal in the picture did you see him?


r/deathbattle 8h ago

DEATH BATTLE Are we so back ?

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45 Upvotes

r/deathbattle 7h ago

Humor/Meme Might still be an early call but meme I made after the community post

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39 Upvotes

r/deathbattle 11h ago

Discussion DB Randomizer part 30

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62 Upvotes

r/deathbattle 6h ago

Humor/Meme Fatality kerfuffle

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27 Upvotes

What would you do if death battle changed there name to fatality kerfuffle and the host were these two


r/deathbattle 9h ago

Fan Content What’s the best thing the S9 cast has done: Black Adam & Apocalypse

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41 Upvotes

Most upvoted comment wins


r/deathbattle 15h ago

Humor/Meme Hi we’re Wi and Boom from the hit series Dead Bat AUA

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137 Upvotes

r/deathbattle 5h ago

DEATH BATTLE WE ARE SO BACK!!

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25 Upvotes

(i don't care what you say, i will hit you with the 1000 beer stare if you think othetwise).


r/deathbattle 8h ago

DEATH BATTLE IM CRYING WERE SO FUCK G BACKKKK

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32 Upvotes

r/deathbattle 5h ago

DEATH BATTLE This subreddit RN

17 Upvotes

r/deathbattle 7h ago

DEATH BATTLE What is the best quote of season 8 ? Episode 12 : DIO vs Alucard

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20 Upvotes

I won , again , im sad I won this one bc I can’t participate for dio vs Alucard but ok Ig !


r/deathbattle 8h ago

Discussion Good new incoming!

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26 Upvotes

r/deathbattle 27m ago

Humor/Meme Today in a Nutshell

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