Metro developer 4A Games will remain with Embracer after canceling deal with Saber Interactive
Embracer Group has confirmed that a deal to sell Metro studio 4A Games and Pinball FX developer Zen Studios to the same investors who purchased Saber Interactive has been canceled, and the studios will now remain with the company.
The details:
Embracer announced in March that it had sold Saber Interactive to private investors through Beacon Interactive for $247 million USD. The deal included a number of studios previously under Saber at Embracer, including Nimble Giant, 3D Realms, Slipgate Ironworks, and New World Interactive, with Beacon stating that it intended to acquire 4A Games and Zen Studios, potentially bringing the total value of the deal up to $500 million.
However, that deal is no longer as Embracer has confirmed that it will retain ownership of the studios and that they will continue operating as usual. “We are satisfied with the conclusion of this transaction and very glad to see the great teams and assets of 4A Games and Zen Studios remain within Embracer,” Embracer CEO Lars Wingefors said in a press release. “They will be important building blocks in our continued journey. 4A Games has currently two AAA titles under development that we eagerly await to announce. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Matthew Karch for his contributions over the years, and at the same time congratulate the Saber team on the successful release of the iconic Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, that will make a great start in their new structure.”
Saber founder Matthew Karch commented on the situation in a statement to Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier. According to Karch, it was "always our intention to exercise on 4A," but both groups "thought it would be better for all parties" if Embracer retained ownership of the developers.
Saber's sale came after Embracer's devastating restructuring plan, which resulted in over a thousand layoffs, multiple project cancellations, and the sale or closure of several studios after a $2 billion deal fell through. Saints Row and TimeSplitters developers Volition and Free Radical were shut down entirely, while Gearbox and Saber were sold to Take-Two and Beacon, respectively.
More gaming news:
Annapurna Interactive's entire workforce has resigned following a disagreement with the company's owner.
Unity has officially abandoned its plans to implement the controversial Runtime Fee, which was intended to force developers to pay up to $0.20 each time their game was installed.
