List of mergers and acquisitions by Embracer Group

Last updated

Embracer Group is a Swedish video game holding company controlled by Lars Wingefors. In 2016, the company was spun out of Nordic Games Group and in 2019 it was renamed Embracer Group.

Contents

As of 2024 they own more than 106 internal studios in over 45 countries in Europe and the Americas. Its subsidiaries are organized under ten groups: Amplifier Game Invest, Asmodee, CDE Entertainment, Coffee Stain Holding, Dark Horse Media, DECA Games, Easybrain, Embracer Freemode, Plaion and THQ Nordic. Each group has its own operations, subsidiaries and development studios.

Acquisitions

DateCompanyCountryParent companyValueRef.
August 2017 Black Forest Games Flag of Germany.svg Germany THQ Nordic €1,360,000 [1] [2]
Pieces InteractiveFlag of Sweden.svg Sweden $350,000 [3]
November 2017Experiment 101$8,900,000 [4]
February 2018 Koch Media Flag of Austria.svg Austria/Flag of Germany.svg Germany Plaion $149,000,000 [5]
July 2018 HandyGames Flag of Germany.svg Germany THQ Nordic [6]
November 2018 Coffee Stain Holding Flag of Sweden.svg Sweden Coffee Stain Holding $34,900,000 [7]
Bugbear Entertainment (90%)Flag of Finland.svg Finland THQ Nordic
February 201918Point2Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australia Plaion €1,900,000 [8]
Warhorse Studios Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Czech Republic €42,800,000 [9]
May 2019 Piranha Bytes Flag of Germany.svg Germany THQ Nordic [10]
August 2019KSM Plaion [11]
Gaya Entertainment [12]
Milestone Flag of Italy.svg Italy €44,900,000 [13] [14]
Gunfire Games Flag of the United States.svg United States THQ Nordic [15]
Goodbye Kansas Game Invest
  • Fall Damage (50%)
  • Framebunker (21%)
  • Kavalri (21%)
  • Neon Giant (24%)
  • Palindrome Interactive (50%)
Flag of Sweden.svg Sweden Amplifier Game Invest$3,950,000 [16]
December 2019 Tarsier Studios Flag of Sweden.svg Sweden $10,500,000 [17]
February 2020 Saber Interactive
  • Saber Belarus
  • Saber Porto
  • Saber Russia
  • Saber Spain
  • Saber Sweden
Flag of the United States.svg United States Saber Interactive $525,000,000 [18]
VoxlerFlag of France.svg France Plaion €1,900,000 [19]
May 2020DestinyBitFlag of Italy.svg Italy Amplifier Game Invest [20]
August 2020 4A Games Flag of Malta.svg Malta/Flag of Ukraine.svg Ukraine Saber Interactive $45,000,000 [21]
New World Interactive Flag of the United States.svg United States
Rare Earth GamesFlag of Austria.svg Austria Amplifier Game Invest€3,300,000
Vermila StudiosFlag of Spain.svg Spain €900,000
Palindrome Interactive (remaining 50%)Flag of Sweden.svg Sweden
Pow Wow EntertainmentFlag of Austria.svg Austria THQ Nordic
DECA Games Flag of Germany.svg Germany DECA Games €25,000,000
Sola Media Plaion $2,700,000
September 2020Vertigo GamesFlag of the Netherlands.svg Netherlands €50,000,000 [22]
November 2020 Flying Wild Hog Flag of Poland.svg Poland $137,000,000 [23]
Purple Lamp Studios Flag of Austria.svg Austria THQ Nordic
Zen Studios Flag of Hungary.svg Hungary Saber Interactive
Snapshot Games Flag of Bulgaria.svg Bulgaria
Nimble Giant Entertainment Flag of Argentina.svg Argentina
34BigThingsFlag of Italy.svg Italy
Mad Head GamesFlag of Serbia.svg Serbia
Sandbox StrategiesFlag of the United States.svg United States
A Thinking Ape EntertainmentFlag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canada DECA Games $31,000,000
IUGO Mobile Entertainment
Coffee Stain North (remaining 40%)Flag of Sweden.svg Sweden Coffee Stain Holding
Silent GamesFlag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom Amplifier Game Invest
Quantic Lab (95%)Flag of Romania.svg Romania €4,500,000
February 2021 Gearbox Software
  • Gearbox Studio Québec
Flag of the United States.svg United States Gearbox Software $1,300,000,000 [24]
EasybrainFlag of Cyprus.svg Cyprus/Flag of Belarus.svg Belarus Easybrain$640,000,000 [25]
Aspyr Flag of the United States.svg United States Saber Interactive $450,000,000 [26]
SpringboardVRFlag of the United States.svg United States Plaion [27]
May 2021KaikoFlag of Germany.svg Germany THQ Nordic [28]
Massive Miniteam
AppealFlag of Belgium (civil).svg Belgium
Frame BreakFlag of Sweden.svg Sweden Amplifier Game Invest
August 2021 3D Realms Flag of Denmark.svg Denmark/Flag of the United States.svg United States Saber Interactive [29]
Slipgate Ironworks Flag of Denmark.svg Denmark
CrazyLabsFlag of Israel.svg Israel DECA Games
DigixArt Flag of France.svg France Plaion
Force FieldFlag of the Netherlands.svg Netherlands
Ghost Ship Games (remaining 65%)Flag of Denmark.svg Denmark Coffee Stain Holding
Easy TriggerFlag of Sweden.svg Sweden
Grimfrost (70%) THQ Nordic
Demiurge Studios Flag of the United States.svg United States Saber Interactive [30]
Fractured ByteFlag of Estonia.svg Estonia
SmartPhone LabsFlag of Russia.svg Russia
September 2021Bytex [31]
October 2021Jufeng StudioFlag of the People's Republic of China.svg China DECA Games [32]
Splatter ConnectFlag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom Plaion [33]
December 2021 Asmodee
  • Atomic Mass Games
  • Bezzerwizzer Studio
  • Catan Studio
  • Days of Wonder
  • Edge Entertainment
  • Fantasy Flight Games
  • Gamegenic
  • The Green Board Game Company
  • Libellud
  • Lookout Games
  • Mixlore
  • Pearl Games
  • Plan B Games
  • Purple Brain
  • Rebel Studio
  • Repos Production
  • Space Cow
  • Space Cowboys
  • Unexpected Games
  • Z-Man Games
  • Zygomatic
Flag of France.svg France Asmodee €2,750,000,000 [34]
Green Tile DigitalFlag of Sweden.svg Sweden Amplifier Game Invest [35]
Perfect World Entertainment Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg China Gearbox Software $125,000,000 [36]
Spotfilm NetworkxFlag of Germany.svg Germany Plaion [37]
Shiver EntertainmentFlag of the United States.svg United States Saber Interactive [38]
Digic HoldingsFlag of Hungary.svg Hungary [39]
Dark Horse MediaFlag of the United States.svg United States Dark Horse Media [40]
February 2022A Creative EndeavourFlag of Sweden.svg Sweden Amplifier Game Invest [41]
MetricmindsFlag of Germany.svg Germany THQ Nordic [42]
March 2022Development Plus Inc.Flag of the United States.svg United States Plaion [43]
Invisible WallsFlag of Denmark.svg Denmark Amplifier Game Invest [44]
April 2022 Beamdog Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canada Saber Interactive [45]
Lost Boys InteractiveFlag of the United States.svg United States Gearbox Software [46]
May 2022Assets of Square Enix Europe CDE Entertainment $300,000,000 [47]
August 2022 Tripwire Interactive Flag of the United States.svg United States Saber Interactive [48]
Tuxedo Labs Flag of Sweden.svg Sweden
Middle-earth Enterprises Flag of the United States.svg United States Embracer Freemode
Limited Run Games Flag of the United States.svg United States
Bitwave GamesFlag of Sweden.svg Sweden
GioteckFlag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom
SingtrixFlag of the United States.svg United States
TatsujinFlag of Japan.svg Japan
October 2022 Anime Limited Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom / Flag of France.svg France Plaion Pictures [49] [50] [51]
VR DistributionFlag of Australia (converted).svg Australia / Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom Asmodee [52]
January 2023Captured DimensionsFlag of the United States.svg United States Gearbox Software [53]

Divestitures

DateCompanyOperative groupBuyerPriceRef.
November 2019Foxglove Studios THQ Nordic Management buyout [54]
July 2023Goose ByteAmplifier Game Invest [55]
October 2023Fall DamageFragbite$1,800,000 [56]
November 2023River End Games Nordcurrent [57]
February 2024 Saber Interactive Saber InteractiveBeacon Interactive$247,000,000 [a] [58]
March 2024 Gearbox Software Gearbox Entertainment Take-Two Interactive $460,000,000 [59]
Rainbow Studios THQ NordicManagement buyout [60]
May 2024Shiver EntertainmentSaber Interactive Nintendo [61]
November 2024EasybrainEasybrain Miniclip $1,200,000,000 [62]

Notes

  1. Beacon Interactive has the option to later acquire 4A Games and Zen Studios from Embracer Group, which will raise the total acquisition price to $500 million if exercised.

References

  1. Brightman, James (21 August 2017). "THQ Nordic acquires Black Forest Games". GamesIndustry.biz . Archived from the original on 24 August 2017. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
  2. "German game studio Black Forest Games acquired by Swedish game developer THQ Nordic". 22 August 2017.
  3. Novac, Dragos (28 August 2017). "THQ Nordic buys Pieces Interactive, one of the veteran Swedish gaming companies, for $350k". Nordic 9. Archived from the original on 20 June 2018. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
  4. Kerr, Chris (17 November 2017). "THQ Nordic acquires Biomutant developer Experiment 101". Gamessutra . Archived from the original on 2018-05-12.
  5. "De Blob publisher THQ Nordic buys Koch Media for €121m". 14 February 2018. Archived from the original on 2018-02-14. Retrieved 2020-11-29.
  6. "THQ Nordic acquires the German game developer and publisher HandyGames" (Press release). Embracer Group. 9 July 2018. Archived from the original on 14 February 2020. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
  7. Kerr, Chris (November 14, 2018). "THQ Nordic acquires Coffee Stain and Bugbear Entertainment". Gamasutra . Archived from the original on 14 November 2018. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
  8. Kerr, Chris (13 February 2019). "Australian publishing partner 18Point2 acquired by THQ Nordic". Gamasutra . Archived from the original on 14 February 2019. Retrieved 14 February 2019.
  9. James, Sarah (13 February 2019). "THQ Nordic acquire Kingdom Come: Deliverance makers Warhorse Studios". PC Gamer . Archived from the original on 19 February 2019. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  10. Jackson, Mike (22 May 2019). "THQ Nordic acquires Gothic developer Piranha Bytes". GamesIndustry.biz . Archived from the original on 29 May 2019. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
  11. Blaney, Martin (2019-08-16). "Koch Films acquires German indie distributor KSM". Screen. Retrieved 2020-05-08.
  12. "Koch Media acquires Gaya Entertainment as it continues rapid expansion of both its reach and breadth of services". MCV/DEVELOP. 2019-08-23. Retrieved 2020-05-08.
  13. Blake, Vikki (14 August 2019). "Koch Media to acquire Milestone and all IPs, including MotoGP and Supercross". MCV . Archived from the original on 5 September 2021. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  14. Wingefors, Lars (14 August 2019). "THQ Nordic completes the acquisition of Milestone". Cision . Archived from the original on 14 August 2019. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  15. Romano, Sal (14 August 2019). "THQ Nordic acquires Gunfire Games". Gematsu. Archived from the original on 14 August 2019. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
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  17. "Embracer Group acquires critically acclaimed Tarsier Studios" (Press release). Embracer Group. 20 December 2019. Archived from the original on 20 December 2019. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
  18. "Embracer Group acquires Saber Interactive in $525m deal". 19 February 2020. Archived from the original on 2020-02-19. Retrieved 2020-11-29.
  19. "Koch Media | Koch Media acquires singing game developer VOXLER".
  20. Romano, Sal (20 May 2020). "Amplifier Game Invest acquires DESTINYbit". Gematsu. Archived from the original on 27 May 2020. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
  21. Kerr, Chris (13 August 2020). "THQ parent company Embracer has purchased Metro dev 4A Games and others". Gamasutra . Archived from the original on 15 August 2020. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
  22. "Embracer Group acquires Vertigo Games". Gematsu. September 15, 2020. Archived from the original on September 16, 2020. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
  23. "Embracer Group acquires 13 studios: Here's everything you need to know". 18 November 2020. Archived from the original on 2020-11-29. Retrieved 2020-11-29.
  24. Takahashi, Dean (February 2, 2021). "Embracer Group acquires Borderlands maker Gearbox Entertainment for $1.3 billion". Venture Beat . Archived from the original on February 3, 2021. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  25. Takahashi, Dean (February 2, 2021). "Embracer Group acquires mobile game maker Easybrain for $640 million". Venture Beat . Archived from the original on February 3, 2021. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  26. Takahashi, Dean (February 2, 2021). "Embracer Group acquires Aspyr Media for up to $450 million". Venture Beat . Archived from the original on February 3, 2021. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  27. Feltham, Jamie (2021-02-03). "Vertigo Games Buys VR Arcade Platform SpringboardVR" . Retrieved 2022-04-18.
  28. "Embracer Group acquires Appeal Studios, KAIKO, Massive Miniteam and FRAME BREAK". Archived from the original on 2021-05-12. Retrieved 2021-06-02.
  29. "Embracer Group acquires 3D Realms, CrazyLabs, Digixart, Easy Trigger, Force Field, Ghost Ship Games, Grimfrost, and Slipgate Ironworks". Gematsu. August 4, 2021. Archived from the original on August 5, 2021. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
  30. "Embracer's next three acquisitions are Demiurge Studios, Fractured Byte and SmartPhone Labs". 18 August 2021. Archived from the original on 2021-08-18. Retrieved 2021-08-18.
  31. "Embracer Group snaps up QA studio Bytex known for working on games like SnowRunner and World War Z". 22 September 2021. Retrieved 2021-09-22.
  32. "Embracer Group acquires mobile game developer Jufeng Studio and eight mobile titles".
  33. "Koch Media acquires Splatter Connect". GamesIndustry.biz. 20 October 2021. Retrieved 2022-04-18.
  34. "Embracer purchases Asmodee for €2.75bn". 15 December 2021.
  35. "AMPLIFIER ACQUIRES SWEDISH STUDIO GREEN TILE DIGITAL". 15 December 2021.
  36. "EMBRACER GROUP ENTERS INTO AGREEMENT TO ACQUIRE PERFECT WORLD ENTERTAINMENT".
  37. "EMBRACER GROUP ENTERS INTO AGREEMENT TO ACQUIRE SPOTFILM NETWORX".
  38. "EMBRACER GROUP ACQUIRES SHIVER ENTERTAINMENT".
  39. "EMBRACER GROUP ENTERS INTO AGREEMENT TO ACQUIRE DIGIC".
  40. "EMBRACER GROUP ENTERS INTO AN AGREEMENT TO ACQUIRE DARK HORSE AND FORMS THE TENTH OPERATIVE GROUP".
  41. "AMPLIFIER GAME INVEST ACQUIRES A CREATIVE ENDEAVOR". 23 February 2022.
  42. "THQ Nordic acquires animated content studio metricminds". Gematsu. February 24, 2022.
  43. "Koch Media acquires Game Merchandise Specialists "Development Plus Inc." and "DPI Logistics LLC"".
  44. "Amplifier Game Invest acquires Danish game studio Invisible Walls". 16 March 2022.
  45. "Knights of the Old Republic remake studio Aspyr has acquired Beamdog". 13 April 2022.
  46. "Gearbox to acquire Tiny Tina co-developer Lost Boys Interactive". 21 April 2022.
  47. "Embracer Group enters into an agreement to acquire Eidos, Crystal Dynamics, and Square Enix Montréal amongst other assets". Embracer. 2022-05-02. Retrieved 2022-05-02.
  48. "Embracer Group makes more acquisitions, including the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings IP". 2022-08-18.
  49. Hodgkins, Crystalyn (18 October 2022). "German Film Magazine: PLAION Pictures Acquires UK's Anime Limited". Anime News Network . Retrieved 18 October 2022.
  50. "BREAKING: Anime Limited Acquired by Plaion Pictures". Anime UK News. 18 October 2022. Retrieved 18 October 2022.
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  52. Campbell, Maude (2022-10-20). "ASMODEE GROUP ACQUIRES VR GROUP TO EXPAND MASS-MARKET DISTRIBUTION". The Toy Book. Archived from the original on 2022-10-20. Retrieved 2022-10-21.
  53. "Gearbox Entertainment Company Announces Acquisition of Captured Dimensions". Gearbox Software. January 4, 2023. Archived from the original on January 4, 2023. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
  54. Wingefors, Lars (27 August 2019). "THQ Nordic Annual Report 2018/19" (PDF). Cision . Archived (PDF) from the original on 3 September 2019. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
  55. "The video game studio".
  56. "Fragbite Group acquires DICE alum studio Fall Damage".
  57. "Mobile publisher Nordcurrent acquires River End Games".
  58. Writer, Jeffrey Rousseau Staff (2024-02-29). "Report: Saber Interactive buys itself back from Embracer in $500m deal". GamesIndustry.biz. Retrieved 2024-02-29.
  59. "Take-Two Buys Gearbox From Embracer, Confirms Development on New Borderlands Game". 28 March 2024.
  60. "About Us". Rainbow Studios. Retrieved 20 May 2024.
  61. Robinson, Andy (20 May 2024). "Nintendo agrees deal to buy Hogwarts Legacy, Mortal Kombat Switch studio". Video Games Chronicle. Retrieved 20 May 2024.
  62. "Embracer divests Easybrain to Miniclip in $1.2bn deal". 14 November 2024.