Embracer Group

Embracer Group develops and releases computer, console and mobile games in the global gaming market.

Aktivs

Embracer Group has its head office in Karlstad, Sweden. As of 2020, the company is represented in six operating groups: THQ Nordic GmbH, Koch Media GmbH/Deep Silver, Coffee Stain AB, Amplifier Game Invest, Sabre Interactive and DECA Games.

Embracer Group has 46 in-house game development studios and employs more than 4,000 employees and contract employees in more than 40 countries (2020 figures).

Franchizes

For 2020, Embracer Group has an extensive catalog of more than 190 franchises such as Saints Row, Goat Simulator, Dead Island, Darksiders, Metro, MX vs ATV, Kingdoms of Amalur, TimeSplitters, Satisfaction, Wreckfest, Insurgency and World War Z, among many others.

History

2023: Studio closures begin after $2bn deal breaks down

In early August 2023, Swedish computer game company Embracer Group began closing its studios. One of the reasons is the failed $2 billion deal.

Embracer Group Holding, which includes THQ Nordic, Gearbox, Plaion (formerly Koch Media) and Saber Interactive, acquired a number of video game developers over several years. В их число вошли Flying Wild Hog (серия Shadow Warrior), Snapshot Games (Phoenix Point) и Purple Lamp Studios (SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom — Rehydrated).

Shot from Metro game

Since October 2022, Embracer Group holding has been working with a potential partner on an agreement that could set a "new benchmark for the gaming industry." This deal was estimated at $2 billion. In October 2022, Embracer had a preliminary agreement with the counterparty, but negotiations dragged on. As a result, this deal failed.

As part of the reorganization, Campfire Cabal studio is reportedly closing, which began operations in the fall of 2022. This studio was headed by Jonas Wæver, who was also its creative director. Waver previously worked for Logic Artists, where he created the Expeditions series of tactical role-playing games. For a short time of its work, the team did not have time to release anything.

In June 2023, Embracer announced that it planned to close some studios, curtail a number of game development projects and lay off a certain number of employees. This was explained by unsuccessful partner deals. Later, a restructuring was announced, which aims to reduce costs, distribute capital, improve efficiency and consolidate. Some studios were said to be closed. What other divisions of the company are waiting for the abolition is not specified.^[1]

2021

Buying Bytex gaming studio

At the end of September 2021, Embracer Group, through its subsidiary Sabre Interactive, acquired a 100% stake in Bytex. The financial component of the transaction was not disclosed. Read more here.

Purchase of mobile game developer SmartPhone Labs

In mid-August 2021, Embracer Group, through its subsidiary Saber Interactive, entered into an agreement to acquire a 100% stake in the Russian mobile game developer SmartPhone Labs (SPL). The financial component of the transaction was not disclosed. Read more here.

Purchase of game developer Easybrain for $640m

In early February 2021, Embracer Group announced the acquisition of Easybrain for $640 million. The buyer will pay for all this amount with his own shares. Also, under the terms of the agreement, he will pay an additional $125 million. The final amount of the bonus depends on the fulfillment of certain goals. Thus, in order to receive the maximum bonus, the Belarusian startup needs to achieve EBIT (Earnings Before Interest and Taxes, profit before interest and taxes) in more than $600 million in six years. Read more here.

2020

100% acquisition of Flying Wild Hog

On November 18, 2020, Embracer Group, through its subsidiary Koch Media, acquired a 100 percent stake in Polish Flying Wild Hog ("FWH") from Supernova Capital LLP. The FWH team is working on four projects for November 2020, including Shadow Warrior 3. Embracer receives a team of more than 260 specialists from the deal in three studios in Poland, which will become the base for a growing game development center in Europe. Read more here.

Buying 4A Games

In mid-August 2020, Embracer Group announced the acquisition of 4A Games for $36 million. The transaction was paid by the buyer's own funds and shares and was concluded through the "daughter" of the Swedish company - Saber Interactive. Read more here.

Notes