Square Enix has sold three of its overseas game development studios, along with their associated intellectual property, to the Embracer Group, the Swedish media and games holding company that owns publishers like Koch Media, Gearbox Entertainment, Saber Interactive, and others. The deal is for $300 million USD in cash, and includes the acquisition of the studios behind Tomb Raider and Deus Ex, and about 1,100 employees at eight worldwide locations.
In its press release on the deal, Square Enix says the sale will “assist the company in adapting to the changes underway in the global business environment” and will enable “the launch of new businesses by moving forward with investments in fields including blockchain, AI, and the cloud.”
Embracer Group co-founder and CEO Lars Wingefors says the company is “thrilled” by the acquisition of Crystal Dynamics, Eidos-Montreal, and Square Enix Montreal. “We recognise the fantastic IP, world class creative talent, and track record of excellence that have been demonstrated time and again over the past decades,” he said in a company press release.
Square Enix says its overseas publishing division will continue to handle the Outriders, Life is Strange, and Just Cause series. But legendary franchises like Tomb Raider, Deus Ex, and Thief are now owned by Embracer, along with the studios that have created the most recent entries in each series.
SQUARE ENIX HOLDINGS CO., LTD. enters into an agreement with Embracer Group for the acquisition of Crystal Dynamics, Eidos-Montréal, Square Enix Montréal, and IP.
Press Release: https://t.co/ooOYacp4PW pic.twitter.com/2PmQE967gk
— Square Enix (@SquareEnix) May 2, 2022
Today we have entered into agreement to welcome over 1000 new colleagues through the acquisition of @CrystalDynamics, @EidosMontreal, and @SquareEnixMtl with a fantastic catalog of IPs such as Tomb Raider and Deux Ex, to be part of our ecosystem.https://t.co/NqELDQKTGe
— Embracer Group (@embracergroup) May 2, 2022
Embracer notes in its press release that once the acquisition of these studios is complete, the United States will be where the largest number of its game developers live and work, with Canada being second. Embracer expects to complete the purchase sometime between July and September this year.
Embracer’s statement suggests that the three studios in the deal will continue working on their current slate of games after the sale is complete.