Embracer Group is selling off Saber Interactive for $500 Million

So first we have Toys for Bob leaving Activision, and now it looks like Saber Interactive is leaving Embracer Group as well.

https://www.ign.com/articles/star-wars-knights-of-the-old-republic-remake-dev-saber-interactive-escapes-embracer-in-500-million-deal

It's happening... companies are downsizing and preparing for smaller releases. The dawn of a new AA dynasty will rise from the ashes. Unfortunately there will be growing pains (in the industry as a whole... I guess you could call it shrinking pains) before we see a more unified and more sustainable gaming future. One small step at a time. I feel terrible for all the devs and families hurt by foolish business practices, but I hope they all land on their feet and I wish them all the success they can handle in the future. We need more releases at lower prices both in development and in the market.

It's happening, but it's going to be a painful process. This crash (so to speak) might not look like the first one or be quite as big, but the numbers don't lie, we are in another crash. Hopefully they will rise from the ashes stronger, more united, and understanding mechanics, fun, and timely releases are more important than pushing out several AAA games with shiny graphics newer consoles can barely even run at stable framerates and expecting unrealistic profit margins. It's scary, but also a good thing. This is long past due and the bubble is about to pop.

Aspyr was making the KOTOR remake I believe.

Saber made World War Z, Timeshift and my darling: Will Rock. They also have done numerous ports over the years.

@WitIsWisdom: Part of the problem is that publishers want every game they release to be the next GTA or fortnite. And those just aren't reasonable expectations, and it shouldnt be what the industry strives for as a standard.

Make a good game, and they will play. Respect the players and they will stay.

I feel like Helldivers 2 is a perfect example of this. (Still waiting to see if the stay part is true for that game)

Question is, who is buying them? Or is the studio financing their own departure?

According to wikipedia:

"In February 2024, it was reported that Embracer Group was selling Saber Interactive to a group of private investors for US$500 million."

@Star67: Bingo

They should also sell the Deus Ex IP to someone who really cares about it.

@Star67: Bingo on all points and I agree. However, Helldivers 2 has already been successful enough that it's probably already made the profits they were hoping to make over its lifetime. Sure they will want to capitalize, but now we get to see how they handle that success.

I guess it just goes to show that it's about fun, gameplay, price, and timing and proves there is plenty of growing room in gaming if done correctly.

Games like that are the future of the industry. Where as the game didn't have a tiny budget, they could have made 2 to 4 games like that for the price of one AAA game, and that's where devs can take more chances since they don't have to put all of their eggs in one basket.

Can't recall if I've ever played a game from Saber (I'm sure I have, I mean I would somewhere along the line) so I don't know too much about them.

Are they worth a half a billion dollars?

IO would be perfect for the job.

I agree. They seem like the best fit right now.

Well, being sold is better than being shuttered I suppose.

Correct.

They also make the "Mudrunner" series of off-roading games that are quite fun. They actually have a new one coming out soon that I am excited for.

Yes, I know, I am crazy for preferring to go 1-2 mph over rocks and mud instead of 200 mph over asphalt.

KOTOR Remake is still in development, this was confirmed by Aspyr themselves.

I can't speak for all their work, but the fact they had a hand in the Halo CE anniversary edition and MCC makes me highly dubious of their worth.

Half a billion? Embracer group scammed them, but I guess that's the market. Should have waited for embracer to tank even further and get more desperate for a buyer.

@WitIsWisdom: I've been thinking the same for the past few days. This may be the

crash this industry needs. I hope the outcome you're predicting is what we do infact get.... but its hard not be cynical.

Sucks for the individuals affected by the layoffs.

When the Aspyr preview game was rejected, it was passed to Embracer passed it to Saber.