Embracer Group acquires three more studios, including Gearbox
Swedish video game holding company Embracer Group continues its shopping spree. Today the company announced three major acquisitions.
Borderlands 3
Gearbox Software
The purchase of US studio Gearbox was the most expensive of the three deals. The deal price could reach as much as $1.38 billion;
now the Swedish holding is ready to pay $363 million ($188 million in cash and$ 175 million in shares). The remaining $1.02 billion Gearbox will receive if it reaches the required targets over the next six years;
upon completion of the transaction, Gearbox will become a separate division of Embracer. Studio head Randy Pitchford will retain his position;
Gearbox is primarily known for the Borderlands loot-shooter franchise. Other high-profile projects include the Brothers in Arms series, the Duke Nukem Forever title and the Half-Life: Opposing Force add -on .
Easybrain
Embracer also bought 100% of Easybrain for $640 million in shares;
depending on the studio’s performance over the next six years, Easybrain could receive another $125 million;
Easybrain will continue to operate as a stand-alone studio and will also become an independent division of Embracer. It will continue to be headed by the current leadership: Peter Skoromnyi, Matvey Timoshenko and Oleg Grushevich;
Easybrain specializes in mobile puzzles. To date, the studio has released 15 titles, which have generated 750 million downloads and reached 12 million DAU. The company’s most famous games include Sudoku.com, Nonogram.com, Blockudoku, and Pixel Art.
Aspyr Media
The acquisition of Aspyr Media cost the Swedish holding $100 million. Embracer paid $60 million in cash and $40 million in shares;
Embracer is going to pay another $350 million if Aspyr achieves the agreed goals in seven years;
unlike the previous two companies, the deal will make Aspyr Media part of Saber Interactive. Studio co-founders Michael Rogers and Ted Staloch will keep executive positions;
Aspyr Media has produced numerous remasters. It has worked on ports of games like Harry Potter, The Sims, Madden NFL Football, Star Wars, and Tony Hawk.
