The Embracer Group, a planet-swallowing mass of online game publishers that already consists of the likes of Gearbox and THQ Nordic, tonight introduced a deal to buy a lot of storied studios and properties from Square Enix.
While the acquisition isn’t last—that is simply “an settlement to amass” them till every part is signed off later within the yr—the announcement press launch says that if permitted will probably be a USD$300 million deal. For the $300 mil, Embracer will pay money for:
- The studios Crystal Dynamics, Eidos Montreal and Square Enix Montreal (the latter of which is able to presumably be in for a reputation change), numbering round 1,100 workers worldwide.
- The “catalogue of IPs” owned and/or labored on by these studios, together with Deus Ex, Tomb Raider, Thief, Legacy of Kain and “the continued gross sales and operations of the studios’ greater than 50 back-catalogue video games.” Also of curiosity: “Crystal Dynamics is actively engaged on a number of AAA tasks, together with the following mainline Tomb Raider sport that can ship next-generation storytelling and gameplay experiences.”
Square Enix purchased Eidos (and Crystal Dynamics together with it) in 2009, and whereas initially overseeing a lot of well-received reboots of collection like Tomb Raider and Deus Ex, later video games in these properties—together with licensed efforts like The Avengers and Guardians of the Galaxy—their possession grew to become one thing of a meme lately, as irrespective of how excessive their overview scores ended up being, or what number of copies they’d promote, Square Enix would all the time say the video games had “under-performed.”
Perhaps understanding that the primary query most folk would have following a deal like this could be, “So what’s taking place with these collection?” Embracer’s press launch says:
The acquisition brings a compelling pipeline of latest installments from beloved franchises and unique IPs, together with a brand new Tomb Raider sport. The acquisition builds on Embracer’s mission of making a number one unbiased international gaming and leisure ecosystem. Embracer has been notably impressed by the studios’ wealthy portfolio of unique IP, housing manufacturers with confirmed international potential similar to Tomb Raider and Deus Ex, in addition to demonstrating the flexibility to create AAA video games with giant and rising fan bases. There are compelling alternatives to organically develop the studios to maximise their industrial alternatives.
Which is obscure, however nonetheless extra longing for followers of one thing like Deus Ex than Square Enix’s full silence and neglect lately. The buy is “anticipated to be accomplished throughout the second quarter of Embracer’s monetary yr 22/23″ (July-September 2022).
Note that Embracer spent $1.3 billion simply on Gearbox. To get all of this, from the skilled studios to the beloved properties for $1 billion much less appears…like a steal.
So why promote? Square Enix’s personal press launch says:
The Transaction will help the Company in adapting to the modifications underway within the international enterprise atmosphere by establishing a extra environment friendly allocation of sources, which is able to improve company worth by accelerating progress within the Company’s core companies within the digital leisure area. In addition, the Transaction allows the launch of latest companies by transferring ahead with investments in fields together with blockchain, AI, and the cloud.
Imagine having to place in your CV that you simply bought Tomb Raider to not less than partially fund some blockchain shit.
