Borderlands developer Gearbox Software is now part of the Embracer Group, the parent company that includes publishing and development studios THQ Nordic, Saber Interactive, Koch Media, Deep Silver and Coffee Stain Studios. Embracer’s acquisition of Gearbox – namely the Gearbox Entertainment Company, which includes Gearbox Software and Gearbox Publishing – is worth $ 1.378 billion, according to a press release.
Gearbox founder and CEO Randy Pitchford called the transaction “not only a boost to the talent of our employee-owned company, but also a driver for the exciting future we have planned.” According to a press release, the deal allows for the expansion of talent at Gearbox studios, the creation of new Gearbox studios and expanded partnerships.
During a question and answer session hosted by Embracer Group, Pitchford indicated that the deal will not affect the development of future and existing games in the popular Borderlands franchise.
“We love our relationship with Take-Two and the 2K Games label, and we are committed to working together on all the known and planned Borderlands work we have,” said Pitchford. “I expect that we will continue and create new opportunities together.”
Pitchford later clarified that Gearbox “has a relationship with Take-Two where we have agreed on certain rights to exploit the IP – the IP is a Gearbox IP.”
“As a proud publisher of the Borderlands franchise, we are thrilled for our partners at Gearbox and this exciting new chapter for their organization,” publisher 2K Games said in a separate statement. “The merger does not change 2K’s relationship with Gearbox, nor our role as publisher of the Borderlands IP or other projects we are currently working on with the studio. We look forward to continuing our long-term partnership with this incredibly talented team and bringing many more exciting entertainment experiences to game fans around the world. “
Gearbox was founded in 1999. Properties include Brothers in Arms, Borderlands, Duke Nukem and Homeworld – the latter two of which were acquired from 3D Realms and THQ respectively. In addition to three Borderlands main games and a handful of franchise spin-offs, Gearbox is developing a live action movie based on its looter-shooter series. Eli Roth is directing the film with Cate Blanchett and Kevin Hart in the lead roles for Lionsgate.
Gearbox’s publishing division has been released Hello neighbour, We Happy Few, Risk of rain 2, and Godfall.
Based in Karlstad, Sweden, Embracer Group was previously called THQ Nordic AB. The parent company has 57 in-house game development studios and owned more than 200 franchises, including Saints Row, Goat Simulator, Dead Island, Darksiders, Metro, MX vs. ATV, Kingdoms of Amalur, TimeSplitters, Satisfactory and Wreckfest.
Embracer announced two additional acquisitions on Wednesday: Aspyr Media, acquired through Saber Interactive, and Easybrain, a mobile games developer specializing in puzzle and logic games.