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Tag: Embracer Group

  • BREAKING: Square Enix Sells Entire Western Division to Embracer Group for Only $300M

    BREAKING: Square Enix Sells Entire Western Division to Embracer Group for Only $300M

    Earlier last month, we learned that Gearbox’s parent company, the Embracer Group, was planning to continue its acquisition spree in the coming months. While not much was known on who they were currently eyeing at the time, a sudden press conference has revealed that Square-Enix has now sold its entire Western division, including all IPs connected to those companies, to the Embracer Group for $300M. This purchase includes the companies of Eidos, Crystal Dynamics, and Square Enix Montréal. CEO Lars Wingefors had the following to say on the purchase:

    We are thrilled to welcome these studios into the Embracer Group. We recognize the fantastic IP, world class creative talent, and track record of excellence that have been demonstrated time and again over the past decades. It has been a great pleasure meeting the leadership teams and discussing future plans for how they can realize their ambitions and become a great part of Embracer.

    Lars Wingefors

    Phil Rogers, the head of Square Enix America and Europe, also shared the following statement on the purchase by Embracer:

    Embracer is the best kept secret in gaming: a massive, decentralized collection of entrepreneurs whom we are thrilled to become a part of today. It is the perfect fit for our ambitions: make high-quality games, with great people, sustainably, and grow our existing franchises to their best versions ever. Embracer allows us to forge new partnerships across all media to maximize our franchises’ potential and live our dreams of making extraordinary entertainment.

    Phil Rogers

    It’s quite the shocking move, as Square Enix continues to move further away from its Western studios. there have already been hints that things weren’t going smoothly, as over the years each Western release wasn’t selling as the Japanese studio hoped. This move would include the sales of IPs such as Tomb Raider, Legacy of Kain, Thief, Desu Ex, and more. The fact they sold those studios for $300M is not a good sign, as it implies they were more focused on getting rid of it rather than increasing their profit. Here’s hoping that this new home may benefit these studios in the long run.

    Source: Embracer

  • Gearbox’s Parent Company Embracer Group Plans to Continue Acquisition Spree

    Gearbox’s Parent Company Embracer Group Plans to Continue Acquisition Spree

    The acquisition wars in the gaming industry continue. In a new norm where IP and top-tier studios are being snatched up like candy on Halloween, it seems no independent studio is safe anymore. Microsoft and Sony are certainly the big players in the space currently, and they definitely aren’t the only ones trying to expand. Take-Two recently purchased mobile game company Zynga for $12.7 billion, Netflix has purchased two studios in the last month, and Embracer Group has completed over 60 acquisitions, big and large, since 2020.

    As it stands, Embracer Group has spent more than $8 billion on acquisitions. This is noteworthy as a brand most people have never heard of has suddenly become one of the biggest players in gaming today. Between Gearbox Software (Borderlands), Deep Silver (Saints Row), THQ Nordic (Destroy All Humans), and Saber Interactive (World War Z, Witcher 3), the holding company has managed to secure some of the most recognized AA studios in existence.

    Not only that, but they also have managed to acquire some big-name IP that will certainly bolster their portfolio. While they won’t own The Witcher 3 as Saber was just a port house for the project, they did secure Borderlands, one of the largest IPs in gaming today. The CEO of the company recently said that this wasn’t the end. Lars Wingefors has said in an interview that he plans to make a similar number of acquisitions in the upcoming months and years.

    While the company continues to look at the gaming industry for new opportunities, game studios aren’t the only companies the group has looked at. Embracer recently bought Dark Horse Comics for an undisclosed sum. So while any studio may be in the crosshairs, Embracer is definitely diversifying its portfolio, meaning your favorite studios may be able to hold out for now.

    Source: Video Game Chronicle

  • Dark Horse Comics Finds New Home in Swedish Gaming Company Embracer Group

    Dark Horse Comics Finds New Home in Swedish Gaming Company Embracer Group

    Here’s a rather curious surprise. Dark Horse, the famous indie comic publisher, has hinted at its interest in selling to find a new home for some time. They’ve been setting up a lot of future projects together with Netflix, especially after their success with The Umbrella Academy yet they were still seeking a new home even as they continue their first-look deal with the streaming service. After a long wait, it looks like they found it in a Swedish gaming conglomerate, the Embracer Group. Dark Horse CEO Mike Richardson offered the following statement on the purchase:

    The synergies that exist with the Embracer network of companies promise exciting new opportunities not only for Dark Horse, but also for the creators and companies we work with. I’ve had a number of compelling conversations with Embracer CEO Lars Wingefors and I’m very impressed with him and what he and his team have built. I have to say, the future for our company has never looked brighter

    Mike Richardson

    The financial dealings have not been shared by both companies involved with the project. It does seem like the Swedish company is interested in keeping the comics ongoing dealings alive, as they bolster around 300 untapped intellectual properties, which includes Timecop, Hellboy, The Mask, and many more. It’ll be interesting to see what the future has in store for everyone involved.

    Source: Hollywood Reporter