Saber Interactive Splits From Embracer, Taking 38 Video Game Projects With It

ign.com:

Saber Interactive has split from Embracer, with at least 38 ongoing game development projects among the divested assets and over 3,000 staff moving across. However, a number of key studios remain at Embracer, including Tripwire, Aspyr, and Beamdog.

The deal is initially valued at $247 million, with the buyer named as Beacon Interactive, a company set up and controlled by Saber Interactive co-founder Matthew Karch. As a result, Embracer has ceased all operations in Russia. It appears jobs were secured as part of the deal.

There are a number of interesting points in the deal. For example, Beacon Interactive has the option right to acquire Metro developer 4A Games and Pinball developer Zen Studios for a fixed price within a certain time period. According to Bloomberg reporter Jason Schreier, Beacon Interactive has indeed decided to buy both studios. Long-term license and publishing rights to all current and future PC and console games in the Metro franchise are held within the Embracer operative group Plaion, Embracer said.

The studios and their owned or licensed IP now a part of Beacon Interactive are:

Embracer will retain the following studios and companies:

While Saber Interactive has split from Embracer, Embracer itself retains 14 Saber games already in the works, including two joint projects with Beacon Interactive. They are:

Lars Wingefors, co-founder and group CEO of Embracer, called the deal a “win-win solution” for Embracer and the parts of Saber that now leave the embattled company. Wingefors said it was “safeguarding many developer jobs” under the new ownership. Crucially, Wingefors called the Saber deal the “first transaction”, with a deal for Borderlands maker Gearbox to leave Embracer waiting in the wings.

“This divestment leaves both parties in much better positions to grow our respective businesses,” Karch said. “I will continue to remain a large, long-term shareholder of Embracer and we will remain partners on several ongoing and future projects. This