Embracer Group
Embracer Group business and news from across the web.
Embracer-owned VR developer Vertigo Games closes Amsterdam studioEmbracer Group-owned Vertigo Games has closed its Amsterdam studio, the team behind the VR title Metro Awakening. CEO Richard Stitselaar cited challenging conditions in the VR market for the decision. Metro Awakening launched in 2024 to critical acclaim but did not meet sales expectations.
One of the biggest VR developers in the business closes a studio: 'The VR market remains a challenging space'VR development studio Vertigo Games has announced the closure of its Amsterdam studio, citing the challenging nature of the VR market. CEO Richard Stitselaar stated the decision was difficult and acknowledged the impact on employees. This follows similar struggles in the VR space, including Meta's closure of multiple VR studios and layoffs.
Quiet As A Shadow: Thief: The Dark Project Remastered Redefines Stealth For A New GenerationNightdive Studios, Eidos-Montréal, and Atari have announced Thief: The Dark Project Remastered, a modern revival of the 1998 stealth classic. Utilizing Nightdive's KEX Engine, the remaster includes the original game and content from Thief Gold, launching this Winter on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, PC platforms, and previous generation consoles. The game emphasizes pure stealth gameplay, rewarding players for using light, sound, and misdirection to overcome challenges.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin is Platinum's next action game, and it's coming from…Paramount Games Studio has announced its first game: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin, developed by PlatinumGames. The game is set in a future New York City and follows a lone turtle seeking revenge for his brothers' deaths. It will be released on PC and consoles, with no specific release date yet.
VR developer Vertigo Games shutters Amsterdam studioVR developer Vertigo Games has closed its Amsterdam studio due to ongoing challenges within the virtual reality industry. CEO Richard Stitselaar expressed gratitude for the team's contributions and stated the company's focus is on supporting affected employees. This closure reflects broader difficulties in the VR sector, with other companies like Rec Room and Polyarc Games also experiencing cutbacks.- A Double Dose of Cute ‘Em Up Action as Cotton Reboot! And Cotton Reboot! High Tension! Return for 2026 ReleasesClear River Games announced that Cotton Reboot! and Cotton Reboot! High Tension! will receive physical and digital releases on October 22, 2026. Both titles will be available on Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5, with High Tension! also coming to PlayStation 4. These releases aim to bring the classic cute 'em up experience to both new and returning fans.
- Culdcept The First Becomes Playable in the West with New Demo todayClear River Games, in partnership with City Connection and Omiya Soft, has released a playable demo for Culdcept The First, a remake of the 1997 SEGA Saturn title. The demo, available on Steam, allows players to carry over collected cards to the full PC release, which launches on July 30th. The game will also be released on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S shortly after.
- The Subscription Audit Gap: $3,000/Year Unwatched | TAGThis article highlights the significant financial burden of multiple gaming subscription services, estimating annual costs between $1,000 and $3,000 per consumer. It contrasts this with the ongoing instability and layoffs within the gaming industry, such as Embracer Group's struggles and publisher-wide redundancies, suggesting a lack of consumer-facing accountability in the current business model.
3 years after a $2 billion implosion, studio closures, and cancellations, Embracer's new CEO hopes 'trust is…Embracer Group CEO Phil Rogers expressed hope for improving trust in the company despite a period of significant restructuring, studio closures, and cancellations. The company has undergone multiple reorganizations and asset sales, including the sale of Gearbox and the closure of Arc Games and Cryptic Studios. Rogers acknowledged the industry's challenges and stated that Embracer is focused on resetting and improving its position, with potential for future mergers and acquisitions guided by past learnings.
After a $2 billion mess that saw thousands of layoffs with many studios and games shut down, new Embracer CEO hopes…New Embracer Group CEO Phil Rogers aims to restore the company's reputation following a period of significant layoffs, studio closures, and game cancellations after a major acquisition deal fell through. Rogers emphasized that future mergers and acquisitions will be funded through organic cash flow, and the company is reflecting on past decisions and industry changes. He hopes to rebuild trust with gamers by delivering enjoyable titles and focusing on key intellectual properties.- Morning InterviewsEmbracer Group CEO Lars Wingefors expressed hope that trust in the company is improving, acknowledging that trust must be earned. The interview touches upon the company's business strategies and efforts to rebuild confidence.
- MMO Business Roundup: Steam Deck’s price hike, Microsoft’s ActiBlizz settlement, and Rockstar UK’s unionThis MMO business roundup covers several industry developments, including Valve's Steam Deck OLED experiencing significant price hikes. Microsoft has settled a $250 million class-action lawsuit related to its Activision Blizzard acquisition. Additionally, developers at Rockstar Games have officially formed a union, the Rockstar Game Workers Union (RGWU), and plan legal action over alleged union-busting.
- It’s Swine Time! Blasts from the Past Demands You Move Fast, Muchi Muchi Pork! & PinkSweets Boosted Arrives in The West Courtesy of Clear River Games!Clear River Games and City Connection announced that Muchi Muchi Pork! & PinkSweets Boosted will be released in the West on October 1, 2026, for PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch. This bundle features two classic CAVE bullet-hell shooters with refined gameplay and new mechanics.
- New Lord Of The Rings RPG – Here’s Everything We Know About The “Deeply Immersive” GameWarhorse Studios is developing a new, untitled open-world RPG set in Middle-earth, with a focus on being "deeply immersive." The game is expected to release after Embracer Group's other upcoming title, Kingdom Come, which is targeting a release between April 2027 and March 2028. This new Lord of the Rings game is part of Embracer's broader strategy to revitalize the franchise, following recent less successful titles.
Middle-earth RPG is Being Developed by a “Mind-Blowing Ready Team” at Warhorse StudiosWarhorse Studios is developing an open-world Middle-earth RPG as a passion project with a dedicated team. Communications director Tobias Stolz-Zwilling described the game as deeply immersive with a living world, interesting characters, and a strong narrative focus. The studio also confirmed that a new Kingdom Come adventure is in development, with the parent company Embracer Group aiming for a release between April 2027 and March 2028.
A third Kingdom Come RPG may be released sooner than you thinkWarhorse Studios aims to release the next Kingdom Come: Deliverance game within the next fiscal year, which runs from April 1st, 2027, to March 31st, 2028. This is a significantly shorter development window compared to the seven years between the first two titles, leading to fan concerns about potential quality sacrifices. The studio also mentioned a new open-world Middle-earth RPG in development.- Former Activision Blizzard CEO claims Swedish pension fund’s lawsuit against Microsoft-Activision merger was a ploy to strengthen EmbracerFormer Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick alleges that a lawsuit filed by a Swedish pension fund against Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard was a tactic to benefit Embracer Group. The lawsuit reportedly aimed to strengthen Embracer's position during the merger process.
Former CEO Bobby Kotick claims lawsuit against Microsoft's acquisition of Activision was only filed to help EmbracerFormer Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick claims a lawsuit filed by Swedish pension fund Sjunde AP-Fonden against Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard was intended to benefit Embracer Group. Kotick alleges the lawsuit aimed to hinder Activision's growth and talent acquisition in California. Embracer Group has denied these claims.
The next Kingdom Come game is an "open-world RPG," Warhorse confirmsWarhorse Studios has confirmed that the next Kingdom Come title will be an open-world RPG, distinct from their Middle-earth project. The studio also revealed that Prokop Jirsa will lead the Kingdom Come franchise, while Viktor Bocan will head the Lord of the Rings game. The new Kingdom Come game is tentatively slated for release between April 2027 and March 2028.- Embracer Founder Wants to Embrace M&A AgainEmbracer Group founder and Chair Lars Wingefors has expressed a desire to re-engage in mergers and acquisitions following the spin-off of Fellowship Entertainment. This strategic shift was communicated in an open letter to investors on the company's website.