Giuseppe Nelva
The deal involves the acquisition of Crystal Dynamics, Eidos-Montréal, Square Enix Montréal, and their IP from Square Enix.
Said IP include classics like Tomb Raider, Deus Ex, Thief, Legacy of Kain, and many, many more. The deal will also bring over 50 back-catalog games under Embracer control.
The price of the whole operation is certainly apparently rather inexpensive, especially compared to recent acquisitions, $300 million.
The press release included a comment from Embracer Group CEO Lars Wingefors:
We also hear from Phil Rogers, Square Enix America and Europe CEO:
Square Enix also explained its rationale for the sale in its own press release, also mentioning that the company retains control of some overseas studios working on franchises like Just Cause, Outriders, and Life is Strange.
In addition, the Transaction enables the launch of new businesses by moving forward with investments in fields including blockchain, AI, and the cloud. The move is based on the policy of business structure optimization that the Company set forth under the medium-term business strategy unveiled on May 13, 2021.
The Transaction will also provide an opportunity to better align our overseas publishing function with our organization in Tokyo, revisit the current governance structure and associated reporting lines, and advance integrated group management with the goal of maximizing the worldwide revenue generated from future titles launched by the group’s studios in Japan and abroad.
Going forward, the Company’s development function will comprise its studios in Japan, Square EnixExternal Studios, and Square Enix Collective. The Company’s overseas studios will continue to publish franchises such as JUST CAUSE, OUTRIDERS, and Life is Strange.
