The closure of Rooster Teeth, a prominent digital media and gaming company, marks the end of a tumultuous journey that spanned over two decades. Founded in 2003 in Austin, Texas, by Burnie Burns, Matt Hullum, Geoff Ramsey, Jason Saldaña, Gus Sorola, and Joel Heyman, the company gained recognition for its pioneering content, including the sci-fi satire “Red vs. Blue” and the anime series “RWBY.”
Over the years, Rooster Teeth went through several ownership changes, starting with Fullscreen, then AT&T’s Otter Media, and finally Warner Bros. Discovery. However, despite its success in creating popular content and amassing a large following, the company faced numerous controversies and struggles that ultimately led to its demise.
One of the major challenges Rooster Teeth faced was allegations of workplace discrimination, poor working conditions, and creating a hostile environment for LGBTQ+ individuals. These issues came to light through accounts from former employees, such as Kdin Jenzen, who detailed their experiences of harassment and mistreatment at the company.
Another significant blow to Rooster Teeth’s reputation came in 2020 when employees Ryan Haywood and Adam Kovic were fired following allegations of inappropriate behavior, including sending explicit photos to fans and engaging in sexual activity with minors.
Despite attempts to address these controversies and rebrand the company, Rooster Teeth continued to struggle financially, operating at a loss for the past decade. The decision to shut down the company was ultimately made by Warner Bros. Discovery, citing a lack of profitability and the challenges facing the digital media industry.
The closure of Rooster Teeth has left around 150 full-time workers without jobs, along with numerous content creators and contract workers. While some of the company’s properties, such as the Roost Podcast network, are being sold off, the shutdown marks the end of an era for one of the longest-running digital media companies.