Black Forest Games has branched off from THQ Nordic to establish a new indie studio coalition called Third Signal with co-founders

Image credit: Black Forest Games

After parting ways with THQ Nordic, Black Forest Games has emerged as an independent company. This transition was facilitated through a management buyout that also led to the formation of Third Signal, a new group focused on the gaming industry.

The studio, best known for its work on Destroy All Humans, plans to continue its game development and publishing efforts independently. Additionally, it will still collaborate with THQ Nordic on certain developmental projects.

Third Signal aims to bolster small game development teams by providing necessary support and resources, with a focus on crafting top-tier games for PC and consoles. More studios will become part of this new group, although their identities remain undisclosed at this time.

Andreas Tobler, serving as the CEO of Third Signal, remarked on the potential of smaller teams in creating successful games over the past decade, highlighting Black Forest Games as a prime example. Tobler previously held a senior position in Plaion, managing the games portfolio and spearheading business development.

Tobler also expressed the group's ambition to foster a developer-centric environment that grants teams autonomy, resources, and the liberty to innovate and execute their original concepts.

Reflecting on the partnership with THQ Nordic and Embracer, representatives from Black Forest Games expressed gratitude for the nine-year collaboration and the projects completed together. The team is now eager to embark on a new journey with robust partners supporting their vision.

Historically, Black Forest Games was acquired by THQ Nordic in 2017. However, in 2024, the studio reportedly reduced its workforce by 50% amid restructuring initiatives undertaken by Embracer.