Square Enix sold gaming studios Eidos, Crystal Dynamics and Square Enix Montreal for a pretty low price – along with several gaming IPs like Tomb Raider and Deus Ex.
Languages:German English
release:09/14/2018
Platforms:Windows PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4
Square Enix has the studios for just $300 million Eidos, Crystal Dynamics and Square Enix Montreal sold to Embracer Group (source: Embracer). In case the name doesn’t mean anything to you: Embracer Group is a Swedish company that has been buying up gaming and entertainment companies for years. Among others you will find Gearbox Software (Half-Life), Aspyr (Knight of the Old Republic, Star Wars Jedi Knights), Warhorse Studios (Kingdom Come: Deliverance), Piranha Bytes (Elex, Risen, Gothic) and more studios under the umbrella the Embracer Group.
And why did Square Enix pass these brands and studios on so cheaply? As can be seen from a contract for the negotiations, Square Enix probably wants the money in promising businesses such as blockchain, artificial intelligence and cloud invest.
What does it mean when Tomb Raider and Deus Ex change hands?
But one thing is particularly interesting for players: The IPs Tomb Raider, Deus Ex, Thief and Legacy of Kain (and more) are changing hands, which of course raises the question of their future. And as Embracer officially puts it, more money should be put into Tomb Raider and Deus Ex in particular:
“For example, the two original IPs Tomb Raider and Deus Ex Around $88 million worth of AAA games and sold around $12 million. Embracer sees an opportunity to invest in these brandsas well as additionally purchased IPs such as Legacy of Kain, Thief and other original brands.” (Source: Embracer)
Deus Ex fans in particular should definitely sit up and take notice here, although of course nothing is confirmed yet. But what should an investment look like, if not perhaps a new part of the iconic Cyberpunk series? Or even a fresh remake?
Embracers have already shown that they want to bring back classics. Shortly after buying Aspyr 2021, the studio announced the remake of Knight of the Old Republic.
So can you look forward to new Tomb Raider and Deus Ex games soon? In any case, you should keep an eye on the brands for now, because Embracer will certainly show what exactly they mean by the planned investments soon.