In a new press release, Embracer Group reports that Embracer has sold “selected assets” for $247 million to Saber Interactive co-founder Matthew Karch.
Embracer made the deal with Beacon Interactive, which Karch controls. As a result of the deal, Beacon will acquire nearly 3,000 workers and 38 projects.
Co-founder and Group CEO of Embracer Lars Wingefors added a statement regarding their future relationship with Embracer:
“I will continue to remain a large, long-term shareholder of Embracer and we will remain partners on several ongoing and future projects”.
UPDATE – In a new Twitter post, Jason Schreier reports that Matt Karch has “already decided to take 4A and Zen”.
According to today’s press release, the retained pipeline includes 14 games, which feature two joint projects.
Among these games are a variety of AAA titles and IPs. One of these will be “a previously announced AAA game based on a major license”.
There is also a new AA game from 34 Big Things, a game based on an Asmodee IP, and more. Some specific titles also include Killing Floor 3 and Teardown.
Embracer will also retain full upcoming pipeline and back catalog from Zen Studios, Aspyr and Tripwire. However, Beacon will have “an option right to acquire 4A Games and Zen Studios for a fixed price within a certain time period”.
Some fans may be concerned that Embracer will hold onto license and publishing rights to the Metro franchise, via PLAION.
Last month, reports surfaced that Embracer Group planned to sell Saber Interactive for $500 million.
Now that Beacon Interactive controls new assets, Matthew Karch says that “this divestment leaves both parties in much better positions to grow our respective businesses”.
Embracer Group has been under fire for its mass layoffs. Last month, Embracer openly said that it laid off workers in order to “maximize shareholder value”.
For more of the latest Insider Gaming news, you can read about RuneScape’s creator revealing a brand-new MMO called Brighter Shores.
Embracer should shut down Dark Horse, sell off Eidos, and weren’t they supposed to sell Gearbox?
Yes more sales could follow after this.
Atari should offer to buy Eidos and Crystal Dynamics reunite all the Spector IP under 1 umbrella plus they need more teams and IP. They could easily bring Spector back to supervise System Shock, Deus Ex, and Thief. While they’re at it finally make Sleeping Dogs 2 since Embracer never clarified if they owned it or not.