It’s been nine months since the shutdown of Austin, Texas-based studio, Rooster Teeth. In 2024, Warner Brothers announced not only removing games published by Adult Swim Games, but the closure of a 21-year-old brand too. However, in a strange turn of events, Rooster Teeth is back.
In a hilarious video posted to their YouTube channel, founder, Burnie Burns, yells into the void of a past studio and asks why the lights are off. Then, a neon sign lights up with the Rooster Teeth logo. Underneath is neon text stating that they’re under new management… that is, a few seconds later and a tooth from the dentures light goes out, and the word ‘new’ goes out too, indicating that it isn’t exactly new management.
The website includes a press release, which announces that the Rooster Teeth brand and many of its remaining assets have been “acquired by founder Burnie Burns, and his independent company, Box Canyon Productions”. Stating that it marks a “new chapter for Rooster Teeth as it returns to the hands of its original creator”. This new era of Rooster Teeth will have a renewed focus on “innovation, community engagement, and the spirit of creativity that first defined its success”. There’s no mention of the exact remaining assets Burns acquired, but it’s safe to assume it’s just the Rooster Teeth brand. However, it doesn’t include their anime-influenced series, RWBY, as Viz Media acquired the IP in July of last year.
Burns shares his excitement about getting back Rooster Teeth, along with the “challenge of bringing Rooster Teeth back to its roots”. What are those roots he speaks of? The fans. And Burns notes this too in the release, as the “heart of this brand has always been its fans”. The community of fans has always been a big part of Rooster Teeth. I was one of them. Rooster Teeth was such an important part of my life. Through fan organisations and communities, I was able to not only meet a lot of people I still call friends to this day, but I met my partner of close to 10 years because of it. Seeing Rooster Teeth come back, in not only a comedic way but just … in general, brings a lot of joy and curiosity to what will become of it.
Within the press release, Burns’ company, Box Canyon, has also announced the development slate for 2025. This includes: “renewed production of some of the platform’s classic shows, a new original audio adventure Again, and an untitled reimagining of Burns’ first film The Schedule“. There isn’t mention of what classic shows, but it’s safe to assume based on what the website chooses to highlight. Shows like their breakout hit, Red vs. Blue and the adult animated series Camp Camp would be in the mix, as well as podcasts like the RT Podcast and Burns’ podcast with his wife Ashley, Morning Somewhere.
Along with all of this huge news, the aforementioned Morning Somewhere podcast posted an episode. Burns states to please not harass former co-workers and employees of Rooster Teeth and ask if they’re coming back. And that the acquisition is just the Rooster Teeth brand and not other brands.
There will also be an AMA on their Patreon about the whole acquisition. Unfortunately, you’ll have to be a patron to see it, however, they do plan to release a podcast about it. This is pretty exciting, despite some natural concerns about it all. But, with the Burns’ at the helm, it shouldn’t be so bad. Right? What do you think about the acquisition? Hopefully, they can make season 3 of The Strangerhood!
About the Author
Missy Taylor
they/them
Missy is a disabled writer on Boon wurrung land, who is obsessed with Garrus Vakarian and Captain America. You can find them talking about the art of Drag and eating Korean and Japanese food.
