What are Embracer Group working on - A look at their studios
The Embracer Group is likely only a name you hear, whenever the companies buys another developer, but contained within their group is Gearbox, Koch Media, THQ Nordic, Sabre Interactive and more.
Given the sheer number of studios they have, let’s just jump right in
gearbox entertainment
Gearbox Software
Series known to them: Borderland series, Brothers in Arms series
If at this point, you don’t know the Borderlands games, you really should do a quick search for them, they are well worth it, but Gearbox Software had a stream of games before then, including Aliens: Colonial Marines and Battleborn. Okay, we actually don’t need to talk about those, instead in 2021 the studio didn’t release anything, but that is because…
… in just a few months, Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands, a Borderlands spin-off title will release for most platforms, this one will take the shooting antics of Borderlands and combine it with the weirdness of Dungeons and Dragons, I mean Bunkers and Badasses. While the studio has that coming, it is unlikely that we will get any other games from them this year, though an update on the Borderlands movie, or the Brothers in Arms tv show is likely.
Gearbox Studio Québec
Series known to them: Borderlands series
While not a common name for most gamers, the Quebec office for Gearbox is a sister studio to the one in Texas, allowing the team to work on the game, across a larger pool of talent, as such they are supporting the development of Tiny Tina’s Wonderland
Gearbox Studio Montreal
Series known to them: Nothing yet
This studio was only founded in the middle of 2021 and they are still ramping up their staff to levels where they can do serious work, the plan though is once they are at strength, they will get stuck into Borderlands in some capacity
Gearbox Publishing
Series known to them: Homeworld series
Gearbox Publishing is not a development house as much as it is a publishing one, given that the world publishing is in the title, it makes sense. The team here help other studios get their games out, supporting where they can, they recently helped with Tribes of Midgard and Godfall.
This year will see them bring Blackbird Interactive’s Homeworld 3, the latest edition to the iconic series, to PC gamers sometime in late 2022.
Perfect World Entertainment
Series known to them: Remnant: From the Ashes, Torchlight series
Not a developer persay, the studio assists with game development and publishing, usually within the mmo space, they do have a number of non-mmo titles, like Remnant: From the Ashes, Torchlight 3 and Hob. Torchlight 3 is the most recent release and while it didn’t have the same charm as the other two, it did ok.
2022 will see the group bring the title Have A Nice Death to gamers, where you take on the roll of Death, founder and ceo of Death Inc. There is also Torchlight: Infinite coming to mobile this year, but that is not connected with these guys.
Cryptic Studios
Series known to them: Star Trek Online, Neverwinter Online
A studio that is owned by Perfect World, Cryptic creates the mmo’s Star Trek Online and Neverwinter Online and 2021 had them releasing content for them for most of the year. Last year also saw them release Magic: Legends, a new MMO based on the Magic: The Gathering card game, it was cancelled before it left the beta stage
2022 is going to see the team keep the content coming for their current titles, but the team that were working on Magic: Legends could bring something new out, but that is unlikely, given how it was cancelled in October and the time since will have had them trying to work out why. With all that said and done, it is unlikely that we will see any new games form Cryptic this year
deep silver
Dambuster Studios
Series known to them: Homefront: The Revolution
Dambuster was formed out of the remnants of Crytek UK, which in turn was created from Free Radical Design, where Timespliters was created. The last game that they worked on solo was 2016’s Homefront: The Revolution and then in 2021 they supported Chorus.
As of today, they are the lead studio working on Dead Island 2, but given how little we have heard of, or seen of that game, there is no telling what its status is or if it will ever release. Outside of that, they are not known to be working on anything else.
Fishlabs
Series known to them: Galaxy on Fire series
Fishlabs has had quite a run of games over the years, the Galaxy on Fire series being their most successful. In 2021 though, they released Chorus, a new flying title that was developed in-house, with support from Dambuster.
As the game only released at the end of 2021, there is no new game likely from them this year, though some DLC or updates for Chorus could happen.
Free Radical Design
Series known to them: Timesplitters series
When Goldeneye from the Nintendo 64 released, it made household names out of a few of its lead developers, when they spun up their own studio and released Timesplitters, people took notice. After a successful run with that series, they tried something new with Haze and it didn’t work. The team then were picked up by Crytek and helped with the Crysis series, but then they became Dambuster.
2021 saw the studio reform as Free Radical Design, with confirmation given that the team was working on a new Timesplitters title, given that the studio is not even a year old at this point, it is unlikely whatever they are working on will release this year.
Volition
Series known to them: Red Faction series, Saints Row series
Volition have been quiet for a few years now, their last title released was Agents of Mayhem, all the way back in 2017 and it wasn’t until 2019 that we got word of a new Saints Row game being developed. Last year we got our first look a the game, with it promised to come in early 2022.
Late last year though, the game was delayed from its planned March release until August 2022, so the studio will be working on that, getting all the things sorted for release and that will be their only game this year.
Warhorse Studios
Series known to them: Kingdom Come: Deliverance
In the 10 year since the studio was founded, they have only released one title, Kingdom Come: Deliverance, which took a more realistic approach to a medieval game, including how combat worked. Since then the developers have been quiet and while this year marks four years since the game released, they are not done with it yet.
Last year saw the team confirm that the game is coming to Switch, thanks to Sabre Interactive, but there is no word on if that is happening this year, given the time it took them to port other big adventures, it could happen, we just don’t know.
koch media
DigixArt
Series known to them: Road 96
2021 saw DigixArt release their most recent title, Road 96 and as a small studio, with just over a dozen folks behind it, don’t expect anything new in 2022
Flying Wild Hog
Series known to them: Shadow Warrior series
2022 is looking to be quiet the busy year for the studio, not only are they aiming to finally release Shadow Warrior 3, as it was delayed late last year into this one, but players will also get a chance to enjoy Evil West. You might think that is a lot already, but the team are co-developing Trek to Yomi and Space Punks, both of which are expected to release this year as well, so with four games coming, you will see this name a lot in 2022.
Milestone srl
Series known to them: MotoGP series, Monster Energy Supercross series
Normally I would say that given the studio released three titles last year, one of which was the all new Hot Wheels Unleased, don’t expect anything from them this year, but the two big series that they are known for, MotoGP and Monster Energy Supercross are annual titles.
In fact, Monster Energy Supercross 5 has already been announced for 2022 and there is a very strong likely release of MotoGP 22 not far behind it.
Prime Matter
Series known to them: Various
While not a development studio, Prime Matter still helps get games out the door, this is a new publishing arm of Koch Media and is focused on more intense titles. This year will see games like The Last Oricru, Gungrave Gore and Dolmen, with 2023 and beyond looking just as packed.
Ravenscourt
Series known to them: Let’s Sing series
Over the years Ravenscourt has kept a solid release schedule with their Let’s Sing series and 2022 will likely keep that trend going. They are also working to bring Protocorgi and Night is Coming to player this year and another entry in the Let’s Sing series should come by years end.
vertigo games
Vertigo Arcade
Series known to them: Arizona Sunshine LB VR, Ghost Patrol VR
You may not know this part of the Vertigo group, given that they tend to focus on VR experiences where you can wear a headset and then walk around a massive space. While we have companies here in Australia that offer that already, these guys have not yet set up shop here and as of the time of writing there are no plans for that to change, their games however may come on their own.
Vertigo Publishing
Series known to them: Various
Like other publishing arms in this group, these guys don’t make games, they just help others do it and get them out into players hands.
Vertigo Studios
Series known to them: After the Fall
While they have been helping other studios bring their games to the VR market for a while, 2021 saw them commit to a 5 game deal for Oculus, the catch is we don’t know what games they will be or when they are coming.
Force Field
Series known to them: Landfall, Time Stall, Coaster Combat
A known VR developer Force Field were acquired in 2021 to become a part of the Vertigo Group, while they have games out, their next title is meant to be a AAA game, based off a well known IP, there are just no details as to what that might be, or when it might come out.
sabre interactive
34BigThings
Series known to them: Redout series
Not a known studio name, but their main series, Redout has gained attention and for all the right reasons, 2022 will see that name continue to gain time in the spotlight, as they are aiming to bring Redout II to all platforms later in the year.
3D Realms
Series known to them: Duke Nukem series
One of the earlier creators of character based shooters, with Duke Nukem, 3D Realms went very quiet for a while, which makes sense given they were stuck developing Duke Nukem Forever. The last game they helped bring to market was 2020’s Ghostrunner, but the team are back at, working with another studio to release Graven sometime this year.
4A Games
Series known to them: Metro series
Best known for their work with the Metro series, 4A Games had a pretty quiet 2021, with nothing much happening publicly. With 2022 being 3 years since Metro Exodus released, it is possible that we will hear something about their next title, more so given that they have built a new scanning space. Plus with two studios, in two different countries, they have the manpower to see something happen.
Aspyr
Series known to them: Various
Over the past few years, Aspyr has become known the studio bringing classic Star Wars titles to modern platforms, they have done more than that of course, that is just one part of their work. Last year alone saw Star Wars: Republic Commando released, along with the revival of Stubbs the Zombie and Switch players got a special extra treat with Knights of the Old Republic hitting the platform at the end of the.
Right now we know the studio is working on a full remake of Star War: Knights of the Old Republic for PC and PlayStation 5, but that is nowhere near ready for release. As for the rest of 2022, we should learn more about their plans in mid-Feb, at least for the first few months of the year.
Bytex
Series known to them: Berserk series
For many years the studio was known as the creators of the Berserk series of games, but lately the studio has pivoted to being a testing house, providing support for other developers, including companies like Wargaming. There are no plans, at least that are public, for any game releases in 2022.
Demiurge Studios
Series known to them: Various
Not a studio known to creating their own IP, they tend to support development of other brands and over the years have touched Rock Band, Brothers in Arms and a few more. The most recent game that the studio has worked on was Rocket League: Sideswipe, which released late last year for mobile.
Given that Rocket League gets almost constant updates, the team is expected to be focused on that in 2022.
Digic Pictures
Series known to them: None
This is not a studio that makes games, no they are the folks that make trailers and opening animations for games, one their more recent was that of the Assassin’s Creed Valhalla intro movie. In addition to their games work, the studio also provides visual effects support for movies, and tv commercials and with all that work very tightly contained, if they are doing anything more, we have no idea what it could be.
Fractured Byte
Series known to them: Brother: A Tale of Two Sons
As a studio they have only released one title, Brother: A Tale of Two Sons and that was back in 2019, but the studio has provided support work to other games like Borderlands and Tony Hawk. As of today, there is no word on what they are working on next.
Mad Head Games
Series known to them: Nothing yet
Not a known studio, the team are somewhat new to the game development scene, for a while they did some work in technology, their first big budget title is Scars Above and is expected to release sometime in 2022, but there is nothing more specific than that.
New World Interactive
Series known to them: Insurgency series
Best known for their work on the Insurgency series, the most recent one being Sandstorm, the studio takes pride in providing more realistic shooting experiences than other series. Back in 2019 the studio announced that they are working on another new IP, that will one again be an FPS, but details beyond that have been light. In the meantime, they have been releasing content for Sandstorm, to keep players engaged there.
Nimble Giant Entertainment
Series known to them: Realms Online, Quantum League
The most recent game from the team at Nimble Giant is Quantum League, which has players attempting to take on another team, in 1v1 or 2v2 matches, the catch though is that you are the entire team on your side. When you die, the game loops time back and you take on a new version of yourself, working with your past self to try and win the next round. With the support plan in place for this title, the studio are committed to its progress in 2022.
Shiver Entertainment
Series known to them: Mortal Kombat series
Shiver Entertainment may not be a name that you know, but the studio has been behind some ports of a few big series, like Mortal Kombat, bringing them to Switch and other platforms. They were one of the recent purchases by Embracer, so there is no word on if any of their plans have shifted from the sale.
Slipgate Ironworks
Series known to them: Ghostrunner
The team released a lot of games in 2021, a lot and while 2022 is looking light in comparison, the title we are expecting from them is Graven, which is being worked on by 3D Realms as well. Given the teams history of dropping a few games in a year, we should expect more than just the one in 2022.
SmartPhone Labs
Series known to them: Gnomes Garden series
As a mobile games developer, this is likely a team you are not familiar with, the studio has released many entries lately in their Gnomes Garden series, the last being in 2019. As a mobile developer, games can pop up out of nowhere, so there is no way of knowing what they have planned for 2022.
Snapshot Games
Series known to them: Phoenix Point
With two titles under their belt and the second one being their most popular of the two, this developer might be one of the quietest this year. Phoenix Point release first back in 2019, was then enhanced in 2020, before being ported to consoles in 2021. 2022 could see them upgrade the console release for the next generation of devices, but more DLC for the game is likely.
Zen Studios
Series known to them: Pinball
Zen Studios makes pinball games for almost every platform around, 2021 saw a new Pinball FX game get released, as well as Star War: Pinball VR. 2022 though is going to break that pinball trend, as the studio recently revealed Circus Electrique, a new RPG title, coming to most platforms later in the year.
thq nordic
Alkimia Interactive
Series known to them: Nothing yet…
A new studio, they are currently working on a full remake of Gothic, though it doesn’t have a release date yet.
Appeal Studios
Series known to them: Outcast series
A studio that has the ability to claim one of the first open-world titles with Outcast is currently working on the sequel some 23 years later. Outcast 2 does not have a release date and given the studio is on a massive hiring blitz, it is unlikely to release this year.
Ashborne Games
Series known to them: Comanche remake
Known for their work on Comanche last year, the team have a new game coming, but there are no details as to what it might be, given their desire to work on strategy games though, that could help point the way.
Black Forest Games
Series known to them: Giana Sisters series, Destroy All Humans series
While the team here started out small with the Giana Sisters series of games, they became a big name when they remastered Destroy All Humans back in 2020. 2021 saw the game get ported to Switch, but not by them, as they revealed that they were remaking Destroy All Humans 2, the only catch is that we don’t know when it is coming, as right now there is no release on it.
Bugbear Entertainment
Series known to them: Flatout series, Wreckfest
Likely known best for the Flatout series, the studio has been creating racing games since they were founded 22 years ago and that continued all the way up to their most recent release Wreckfest, which released back in 2018. Since then the team have brought the series to all platforms, including a Switch version to come, but the main team have been quiet, so a Wreckfest 2 or something else from them this year is very likely.
Experiment 101
Series known to them: Biomutant
So far the only game from this studio is Biomutant, which released last year for most platforms. Given its recent release date and the updates the team have done since release, there is unlikely we will see anything from them this year, though given its a THQ Nordic release, a Switch port could happen, it has with most else.
Gate 21 d.o.o.
Series known to them: None
Not a game development studio, Gate 21 D.O.O. is actually a technology based group that develops things like advanced character animation systems and facial rigs for game creation. No game is expected from them.
Grimlore Games
Series known to them: Spellforce series
Best known for the Spellforce series, the most recent entry of which hit back in 2017, but since then the studio has released updates for it, expansions for it and ported it to consoles. 2021 saw SpellForce 3 Reforced hit PC, which was a complete overhaul of the original game and while it was expected to hit consoles at the same time, that has been delayed until later in 2022
Gunfire Games
Series known to them: Darksiders series
Best known for their work on the Darksiders series, Gunfire Games has been busy over the last few years, however 2021 was a quiet year for them, as their last game released back in 2020. Their most recent title to get released though was Darksiders 3 on Switch, but that was not ported by them, so since 2020, the studio has been quiet, but job postings do provide an insight into their ramp up for something new to come.
HandyGames
Series known to them: So many games
Not a developer themselves, Handy Games help bring other studios games to market, the most recent being Scarf just before Chirstmas 2021. Their line up for 2022 is already looking loaded, with titles like Townsmen VR, Airhead and Ending: Extinction is Forever, the last one being one to avoid if you don’t like to cry.
Kaiko
Series known to them: Red Faction series, Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning
If you are a Switch gamer, there is a fair chance you know this studio, as they have been the ones to port many titles, including Darksiders titles to the platform. The studio also saw the remastering of Kingdoms of Amalur to its various platforms, as well as most recently, releasing an all new expansion for the game.
As the expansion hit late last year, there is nothing expected from them this year.
Mirage Game Studios
Series known to them: Little Big Workshop
The only game from the studio is Little Big Workshop, which has released on most platforms and while the team are small, not even a dozen folks there, they have kept the support for it going, the most recent drop being back in October 2021. With that, the team may have more content to come, but they are being very quiet on whatever they are doing next.
Nine Rocks Games
Series known to them: Nothing yet
There is next to no information on what this new studio is working on, even their website is just a few lines of text, given the pedigree of some of the developers, there is also no way to guess where they might be going, as they have worked on countless genres over the years.
Pieces Interactive
Series known to them: Titan Quest series
Developers for over 10 years, the studio has worked on a number of games, including their own Puzzlegeddon, but recently they have been creating expansions for Titan Quest, as well as porting the game to various platforms. The catch however is that their last big piece of content was back in 2019, so the studio have been quiet on what is next for a while, sadly they are being quiet on anything relating to what is next.
Piranha Bytes
Series known to them: Gothic series, Risen series, ELEX series
This is a studio that knows what they want to make, over the past decade or so, they have released many games in both the Gothic and Risen series and 2017 saw their third pillar arrive with ELEX. 2022 will see the team release ELEX 2 for PC and consoles, with the game coming in March
Pow Wow Entertainment
Series known to them: MisBits
The only game from the developer is currently in early access on Steam, as such their future plans are focused on the development of MisBits.
Purple Lamp Studios
Series known to them: SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom - Rehydrated
2020 saw the studio get some time in the spotlight when they released SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom - Rehydrated, but since then they have been quiet. That will change as in 2021 they revealed they are taking a new look at SpongeBob with The Cosmic Shake, but it doesn’t have a release date yet.
Rainbow Studios
Series known to them: MX vs ATV series, Monster Jam series
Rainbow Studios has been around for a while and they found their groove with the MX vs ATV series, the last of which released back in 2018. Since then the studio has made two titles in the Monster Jam series, but last year they revealed that they are heading back into the world of dirt bikes and off-roaders with MX vs ATV Legends, right now though, there is no release date planned for it.
Finally… the end.. Embracer have 111 studios right now, there is an entire group that we didn’t even dive into, given that they are focused on game investment, like the EA Originals program. But with the ones that actively make games, we have them, so what do you think, are we right? Wrong? So far out of our gord, we can’t see anything anymore? Let us know in the comments.
