Borderlands developer Gearbox Software is now part of Embracer Group, the parent company that includes publishing and development studios THQ Nordic, Saber Interactive, Koch Media, Deep Silver and Coffee Stain Studios. The acquisition of Gearbox by Embracer – that is, the Gearbox Entertainment Company, which includes Gearbox Software and Gearbox Publishing – is worth $ 1.388 billion, according to a press release.
Gearbox founder and CEO Randy Pitchford called the transaction “not just a stimulant for our company’s talent, but a driver for the exciting future we have planned”. According to a press release, the deal allows for the expansion of talent at Gearbox studios, the creation of new Gearbox studios and expanded partnerships.
During a question and answer session hosted by the Embracer Group, Pitchford indicated that the deal will not affect the development of future and existing games in the popular Borderlands franchise.
“We love our relationship with Take-Two and 2K Games, and we are committed to working together on all the known and planned Borderlands work that we have going on,” said Pitchford. “I anticipate that we will continue and create new opportunities together.”
Pitchford later clarified that Gearbox has “a relationship with Take-Two, where we agree with certain rights to exploit the IP – the IP is a Gearbox IP”.
“As a proud publisher of the Borderlands franchise, we are delighted for our partners at Gearbox and this exciting new chapter for your organization,” publisher 2K Games said in a separate statement. “The merger does not change 2K’s relationship with Gearbox or our role as publisher of Borderlands IP or any other project we are currently working on with the studio. We look forward to continuing our long-term partnership with this incredibly talented team and offering many more exciting entertainment experiences for game fans around the world. “
Gearbox was founded in 1999. Its list of properties includes Brothers in Arms, Borderlands, Duke Nukem and Homeworld – the latter two of which were acquired from 3D Realms and THQ, respectively. In addition to three mainline Borderlands games and a handful of franchise spinoffs, Gearbox is developing a live action movie based on its sniper series. Eli Roth is directing the film, starring Cate Blanchett and Kevin Hart, for Lionsgate.
Gearbox’s publishing division launched Hello Neighbor, We Fortunately Few, Risk of rain 2and Fall of God.
The Embracer Group, based in Karlstad, Sweden, was formerly known as THQ Nordic AB. The parent company has 57 in-house game development studios and more than 200 proprietary franchises, including Saints Row, Goat Simulator, Dead Island, Darksiders, Metro, MX vs. ATV, Kingdoms of Amalur, TimeSplitters, Satisfactory and Wreckfest.
Embracer announced two additional acquisitions on Wednesday: Aspyr Media, acquired through Saber Interactive, and Easybrain, a mobile game developer specializing in logic and puzzle games.