Saber Interactive has separated from Embracer, with at least 38 active game development projects among the assets sold, and more than 3,000 staff transfers. However, many major studios remain in his Embracer, including Tripwire, Aspyr, and Beamdog.
The deal was initially valued at $247 million, and the buyer is named Beacon Interactive, a company founded and controlled by Saber Interactive co-founder Matthew Kirch. As a result, Embracer ceased all operations in Russia. Jobs appear to have been secured as part of the deal.
There are many interesting points about this deal. For example, Beacon Interactive has the option to acquire Metro developer 4A Games and Pinball developer Zen Studios for a fixed price over a certain period of time.according to Bloomberg reporter Jason Schreier, Beacon Interactive has indeed decided to acquire both studios. According to Embracer, long-term licensing and publishing rights to all current and future PC and console games in the Metro series are held within Embracer's crafting group, Plaion.
The studios currently part of Beacon Interactive and their owned or licensed IP are:
- All Saber branded studios
- Nimble Giant (Star Trek: Infinite)
- DIGIC (3D animation studio)
- Saber Interactive Inc. (Warhammer 40,000: Space Marines 2, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic Remake)
- Fractured Byte (Support Studio)
- Sandbox strategy (PR agency)
- Mad Head Game (Scars Above)
- Slipgate (Kingpin Reloaded, Graven)
- New World Interactive (Insurgency, Day of Infamy, Insurgency: Sandstorm)
- 3D Realm (Aeon Fury)
Embracer maintains the following studios and companies:
- 34 Big Thing (Red Out)
- Horror (Support)
- 4A Game (Metro)
- Snapshot (Phoenix Point, Chaos Reborn)
- Aspyr (Tomb Raider I–III Remastered, Starring Lara Croft, Star Wars: Battlefront Classic Collection)
- Tripwire (Killing Floor)
- Beam Dog (Miss Force)
- Tuxedo Labs (decomposition)
- Demiurge (Sega Heroes)
- Zen Studio (Pinball FX and Zen Pinball)
Although Saber Interactive has separated from Embracer, Embracer itself will retain future publishing rights to the 14 Saber games already in development, including two joint projects with Beacon Interactive. they are:
- The next AAA game from Metro developer 4A Games
- Unreleased concept AAA game
- A previously announced AAA game under a major license (this could be either Warhammer 40,000: Space Marines 2 or the Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic remake, both currently in development at Saber Interactive)
- New AAA multiplayer shooter based on controlled IP
- New AA game based on Asmodee IP
- 34 Big Things' new AA games based on proprietary IP
- killing floor 3
- Decomposition (ongoing development)
- Full upcoming pipeline and back catalog for Zen Studios, Aspyr and Tripwire
Lars Wingefors, Embracer's co-founder and group CEO, said the deal was a “win-win solution” for Embracer and for some of Saber's departure from the company, which is currently facing difficulties. Wingeforce said it was “protecting jobs for many developers” under the new ownership. Crucially, Wingeforce called the Saber deal “the first deal,” with Borderlands maker Gearbox leaving Embracer on standby.
“This sale puts both companies in a better position to grow their respective businesses,” Karch said. “I remain a major shareholder in Embracer for the long term and will continue to be a partner on several current and future projects. It will also protect the livelihoods of hundreds of professionals.”
Embracer last month warned of further job cuts, despite having laid off 1,387 employees since a high-profile restructuring began in June. Embracer's total workforce decreased by 904 people in the second quarter of the fiscal year and by a further 483 people in the third quarter. This represents 8% of the group's global workforce. The company also canceled 29 games without notice during the second quarter.
At the time, Wingeforth said Embracer was in the process of selling part of its business. Borderlands developer Gearbox is up for sale. Embracer acquired Gearbox in February 2021 as part of an acquisition spree that included the acquisition of Tomb Raider developer Crystal Dynamics and a number of other studios.
Embracer Group's financial troubles reportedly began with the collapse of a $2 billion deal with a Saudi government-backed company. Savvy Game Group. The Swedish company has since come under fire for the drastic cuts it has already made, including: Saints Row's long-established manufacturer Volition closes.
Wesley is IGN's UK News Editor. Find @wyp100 on Twitter. Wesley can be contacted at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.
