Support NeoGAF

[Draugoth]

Embracer Group to Sell Saber, Developer of a New ‘Star Wars’ Game Remake, in $500 Million Deal

Saber will continue developing Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic

www.bloomberg.com

Swedish gaming company Embracer Group AB will sell one of its largest subsidiaries, Saber Interactive, to a group of private investors in a deal worth up to $500 million, according to a person familiar with the transaction.

 

[00_Zer0]

Hey at least this studio gets to live but what IP or licenses do they get to take with them?

 

[Barlow]

 

[adamsapple]

Better that they're selling it than closing it.

 

[Svejk]

I mean, it's not SIE, right? Is it one of these fast growing Arab investors wanting to get their foot in the gaming industry?

 

[Kacho]

 

[Omnipunctual Godot]

Weird, I thought that remake had been canceled.

 

[Fake]

Hope this not affect Warhammer.

 

[Trogdor1123]

Hope this not affect Warhammer.

Me too… it’s my most looked forward to game right now.

 

[Kacho]

Does this include Aspyr?

 

[nowhat]

So... is this the developer that has basically screwed up the KOTOR remake with nothing to show for it? And they're valued at $500M?

Sony made the deal of the decade when getting Insomniac for ~$300M. Hell, deal of the century even.

 

[Dr. Wilkinson]

Weird, I thought that remake had been canceled.

It was never officially cancelled. It's just gone quiet with no update after the rumors swirled about it being in trouble with the original development studio who were first working on it.

 

[Dr. Wilkinson]

So... is this the developer that has basically screwed up the KOTOR remake with nothing to show for it? And they're valued at $500M?

Sony made the deal of the decade when getting Insomniac for ~$300M. Hell, deal of the century even.

We don't know anything about it beyond rumor.

 

[Hugare]

Man, Saber is one hell of a studio

Their Alien Isolation Android port is masterful. So is Crysis 1/2/3 on the Switch. And The Witcher 3 port for the Switch.

AND they are making Kingdom Come for the Switch, which is nuts

I'm glad that at least they wont close doors

So... is this the developer that has basically screwed up the KOTOR remake with nothing to show for it? And they're valued at $500M?

Sony made the deal of the decade when getting Insomniac for ~$300M. Hell, deal of the century even.

No, that would be Aspyr. Completely different developer.

To clarify further: Aspyr shit the bed and Saber took the project to make it happen, but just recently

The Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic remake has a new developer

Development has reportedly shifted from Aspyr to Saber.

www.theverge.com

 

[Montauk]

So... is this the developer that has basically screwed up the KOTOR remake with nothing to show for it? And they're valued at $500M?

Sony made the deal of the decade when getting Insomniac for ~$300M. Hell, deal of the century even.

All studios struggle with a project at some time or another.

The industry is famous for it. Failing is part of succeeding.

That they’ve had trouble with making it, maybe restarted it, doesn’t tell you much. Certainly not enough to laugh at their valuation, as if you have the slightest idea what their staff, experience and assets are worth.

 

[Mowcno]

Man, Saber is one hell of a studio

Their Alien Isolation Android port is masterful. So is Crysis 1/2/3 on the Switch. And The Witcher 3 port for the Switch.

AND they are making Kingdom Come for the Switch, which is nuts

I'm glad that at least they wont close doors



No, that would be Aspyr. Completely different developer.

To clarify further: Aspyr shit the bed and Saber took the project to make it happen, but just recently

Aspyr is a subsidiary of Saber Interactive.

 

[nowhat]

No, that would be Aspyr. Completely different developer.

Alright, I remembered something like that but didn't bother to google it further because it's GAF after all. Still. More valuable than Insomniac? doubt.jpg

 

[Kacho]

So... is this the developer that has basically screwed up the KOTOR remake with nothing to show for it? And they're valued at $500M?

Sony made the deal of the decade when getting Insomniac for ~$300M. Hell, deal of the century even.

No, Aspyr were the ones that fucked up the KOTOR remake. Saber might have taken over that project.

Saber had a big hit with SnowRunner and a new game in the series is dropping next week. They are also working on the 40K Space Marine sequel. Good studio.

 

[Hugare]

Aspyr is a subsidiary of Saber Interactive.

It was added as a subdiary after being acquired by Embracer in 2021

So I dont consider them like Saber 'cause wouldnt be vary fair (tho they are)

Imagine Take2 saying that from now on Groove Street Games will be a Rockstar subsidiary

 

[nowhat]

Imagine Take2 saying that from now on Groove Street Games will be a Rockstar subsidiary

Since T2 has not owned up to the "remastered" trilogy at all, that wouldn't be unheard of.

 

[crackajack]

I would assume prices for anything in gaming are plummeting right now, with the whole industry being on a drastic cut cycle after bulking up before. Dumbasses bought in a hive minded move, investing at an upwards curve their precious dollars, while now some interesting cheap investments can probably be made.

 

[Mowcno]

Alright, I remembered something like that but didn't bother to google it further because it's GAF after all. Still. More valuable than Insomniac? doubt.jpg

This isn't just one development studio. Saber Interactive has a large number of subsidiaries. Over 2000 employees.

Saber Interactive - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

 

[Jaybe]

Hmm… Wonder if the best assets are going to be spun out, then closure for the remaining

 

[nowhat]

This isn't just one development studio. Saber Interactive has a large number of subsidiaries. Over 2000 employees.

Saber Interactive - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

Thanks, I'm not trying to be obtuse, just that this whole Embracer thing has me confused. They bought basically everything not strictly AAA (and some AAA as well) and since then it's been like demolition derby.

 

[FUBARx89]

So... is this the developer that has basically screwed up the KOTOR remake with nothing to show for it? And they're valued at $500M?

Sony made the deal of the decade when getting Insomniac for ~$300M. Hell, deal of the century even.

That was Aspyr. Sabre took over last I heard.

 

[Little Chicken]

Embracer really had no idea what they were doing huh

 

[AREYOUOKAY?]

Microsoft buying Gearbox to work on Halo just as they did for the original PC port would be a real twist of fate.

How Working on Halo PC Inspired Gearbox to Make Borderlands — IGN Unfiltered - IGN

Working with Bungie's engine led to a new way of thinking at Gearbox Software.

www.ign.com

At this point I’d sooner trust them over 343.

 

[Kacho]

Wait, 4A games is a subsidiary of Saber too? So they’re free as well? So many questions lol

 

[squarealex]

 

[Dural]

So... is this the developer that has basically screwed up the KOTOR remake with nothing to show for it? And they're valued at $500M?

Sony made the deal of the decade when getting Insomniac for ~$300M. Hell, deal of the century even.

Saber is way bigger than Insomniac was when they were acquired, have a bunch of subsidiaries, and also have some IP that they own.

 

[mckmas8808]

This isn't just one development studio. Saber Interactive has a large number of subsidiaries. Over 2000 employees.

Saber Interactive - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

Wow that's a huge set of people.

 

[Interfectum]

This should be Phil with a frown and the bag labeled "Phil's Personal Belongings" with an exit door in the background.

 

[Barlow]

 

[Elios83]

Embracer is basically consolidation gone wrong. They invested so much just to realize it was not sustainable for them to keep all the studios.

 

[Iced Arcade]

Won't be surprised if they sell Crystal Dynamics to MS and that it was planned all along.

CD has been working with MS since embracer acquired them.

 

[AREYOUOKAY?]

Won't be surprised if they sell Crystal Dynamics to MS and that it was planned all along.

CD has been working with MS since embracer acquired them.

“Oh yes daddy Microsoft give me more of those “exclusive” deals…”

 

[CamHostage]

This isn't just one development studio. Saber Interactive has a large number of subsidiaries. Over 2000 employees.

Saber Interactive - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

Right, Saber is a huge subdivision of Embracer... and to my mind it's the main value segment in the whole Embracer group.

So many of the other little divisions put out their one or two middleground-audience franchise entries every couple of years and a few of them do nice business in that old THQ "Eh, if we throw enough shit at the wall something will stick" way, but Saber is of the now. They're a workhorse studio with a hot engine (their Swarm tool has done amazing stuff on current-gen yet has even worked decently on Switch) and a ton of experience subcontracting on ports and co-pros and lots of brands being juggled, and they've just produced non-stop; plus they have a number of subsidiaries and have a CGI studio and all kinds of other groups to get stuff done. There would be still good companies left in the Embracer group if this happens, but Saber will take with it a significant portion of the reason why Embracer is/was an actively viable force in game publishing.

 

[Dane]

Microsoft buying Gearbox to work on Halo just as they did for the original PC port would be a real twist of fate.

How Working on Halo PC Inspired Gearbox to Make Borderlands — IGN Unfiltered - IGN

Working with Bungie's engine led to a new way of thinking at Gearbox Software.

www.ign.com

At this point I’d sooner trust them over 343.

According to rumors years ago, MS came close to buy Gearbox, but would only close the deal if Randy was out, he didn't agree so no deal done.

 

[Xyphie]

Roll-Up, Roll-Down

 

[Hudo]

Can someone please save Eidos? I want them to continue working on their Deus Ex game...

 

[skit_data]

Fuck, I realized these are the guys making that Jurassic Park Survival game. Hope it doesn't get cancelled.

 

[Alebrije]

So... is this the developer that has basically screwed up the KOTOR remake with nothing to show for it? And they're valued at $500M?

Sony made the deal of the decade when getting Insomniac for ~$300M. Hell, deal of the century even.

Yep but then spoiled all with Bungie.

 

[StreetsofBeige]

Looks like they avoided a bullet. Wiki says they bought Saber in 2020 for $525M, so excluding whatever operational profit nor loss they did the past 4 years, at least the buy and sell price are almost the same.

 

[Darsxx82]

How desperate would Embrace be to propose a sale at the worst of the worst times with recent massive layoffs by all the Publishers.

It makes me think that it is more of an act of faith and goodwill towards Saber and its employees than something they believe can happen.

I hope they find a buyer. Better that than disappearing. But it is clear that whoever buys is not going to keep all the jobs.

 

[skit_data]

Sources: Borderlands Studio Will Escape The Most Divisive Company In Gaming

Gearbox is leaving the Embracer fallout behind as devs wait for a answers on what’s next

kotaku.com

Going by this and the Schreier comment... yeah looks like Gearbox will be sold too

 

[Agent_4Seven]

Good! But I hope it won't affect Space Marine 2's release date or any devs at the studio. Focus Home needs to buy Saber if they have the money.

P.S. Just effin' die already, Embracer. The video game industry will be better without you.

 

[SJRB]

Embracer is basically consolidation gone wrong. They invested so much just to realize it was not sustainable for them to keep all the studios.

Didn't Embracer collapse because they bought a ton of studios on borrowed money while they were banking on a huge investment that in the end didn't come to fruition?

 

[Jinzo Prime]

Right, Saber is a huge subdivision of Embracer... and to my mind it's the main value segment in the whole Embracer group.

So many of the other little divisions put out their one or two middleground-audience franchise entries every couple of years and a few of them do nice business in that old THQ "Eh, if we throw enough shit at the wall something will stick" way, but Saber is of the now. They're a workhorse studio with a hot engine (their Swarm tool has done amazing stuff on current-gen yet has even worked decently on Switch) and a ton of experience subcontracting on ports and co-pros and lots of brands being juggled, and they've just produced non-stop; plus they have a number of subsidiaries and have a CGI studio and all kinds of other groups to get stuff done. There would be still good companies left in the Embracer group if this happens, but Saber will take with it a significant portion of the reason why Embracer is/was an actively viable force in game publishing.

Out of all their studios, I expected them to keep Saber. It seems like it is well run, with a great mix of talent from North America and Eastern Europe.

 

[Hudo]

Is Space Marine 2 affected in any way?

 

[RickMasters]

So... is this the developer that has basically screwed up the KOTOR remake with nothing to show for it? And they're valued at $500M?

Sony made the deal of the decade when getting Insomniac for ~$300M. Hell, deal of the century even.

Never realised they paid 3 bills for insomniac…. And then an insomniac game costs another 300 million to make?

Kinda wild when you think about it