Another day another acquisition with Saber Interactive / Embracer Group acquiring Aspyr Media and so we see the continuing worrying trend of consolidation in the games industry.
For those not aware, Aspyr Media are well known for their porting efforts to both macOS and Linux. For Linux specifically they ported the likes of Borderlands 2, Civilization V, Civilization VI, STAR WARS Knights of the Old Republic II - The Sith Lords and more so it's interesting to follow for their history and future.
From the press release:
“I have been a fan of Aspyr for longer than I have been in the industry. Michael and Ted are true entrepreneurs that have built a business by identifying and exploiting opportunity where no one else saw it. They are a perfect fit for Embracer and I am proud to now call them partners. Together we will be able to greatly expand our development and publishing activities here in the US. Stay tuned for details on some of the amazing games we have under joint development. Today is a truly amazing day for Saber and the entire Group” says Matthew Karch, CEO Saber Interactive and Director of the Embracer Board.
“We are thrilled to join forces with Saber and to become part of the entire Embracer family. We are confident that Embracer is the ideal partner for us as we look to accelerate growth and execute on our exciting pipeline. We have been in the games industry for two and a half decades, but it feels like we are just getting started. We look forward to exploring opportunities to collaborate with other entrepreneurs within the wider Embracer Group to bring celebrated games to our fellow gamers around the world” says Michael Rogers, Co-founder and CEO Aspyr.
See the full release here.
Additionally, on the same day Embracer also announced a "merger" with Gearbox Software (Borderlands), so Gearbox are also now part of Embracer.
Embracer Group now owns the likes of Coffee Stain, Gearbox Software, Koch Media, Saber Interactive, THQ Nordic and multiple of those also own multiple other studios like Warhorse Studios, Flying Wild Hog, Bugbear Entertainment and quite a lot more.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Over my career in the private sector I've been involved in three mergers, and those "public statement moments" are mandatory. Then, roughly a year later, the *real* reason for the merger becomes more clear for the rest of the company.
But I think this is good news for the Aspyr employees. Surely business became difficult after the dramatic drop in gaming on Mac.
abelthorne Feb 3, 2021
Embracer Group already owns the likes of [...] Gearbox Software [...]Apparently, they just acquired Gearbox at the same time as Aspyr: https://venturebeat.com/2021/02/02/embracer-group-acquires-borderlands-maker-gearbox-entertainment-for-1-3-billion/
Not sure if it's related and they bought Aspyr mainly to own the ports as well as the original Gearbox games.
Well, lets hope they are one of the "good guys" ^^
Whooo! Hope this leads to a Linux port for Borderlands 3, now that Gearbox and Aspyr are practically the same company :)
It's already ported (to Stadia).
Kuduzkehpan Feb 3, 2021
Whooo! Hope this leads to a Linux port for Borderlands 3, now that Gearbox and Aspyr are practically the same company :)lets hope the new owners are linux friendly....
Are they buying them to better kill them?
It wouldn't be the first time the company was bought to just kill the competition.
no_information_here Feb 3, 2021
Cautiously optimistic?
Comandante Ñoñardo Feb 3, 2021
I understand Aspyr will develop a remake of Knights of the Old Republic
Don't
If this become true, I hope now they include the option to change the combat system, because I think the original is awful.
For me it looks like they wanna extend the target platforms to mobile and Nintendo Switch and therefore bought Aspyr. That might include stadia.
I do not believe that Linux desktop gaming is a strategic target for such a huge company. Such small pet projects are usually the first things to be stopped after a merger by the controllers. They seek to streamline acquisitions and cut such things off.
Finally I think the majority of the mentioned Linux games have been released before the aqusition by Embracer of the specific studios. Therefore I‘m quite pessimistic regarding effects on gaming on linux of this move.
Finally I think the majority of the mentioned Linux games have been released before the aqusition by Embracer of the specific studios. Therefore I‘m quite pessimistic regarding effects on gaming on linux of this move.[/quote]
I have to admit I tend to agree I do not think we ll be getting more linux native games as a result. So far THQ has ported desperados to linux and said at the time more would follow they have not. Metro another THQ owned property now apparently is totes coming to linux only no dates for release or information on whether its in house or using fereal generally not a good sign.
Patreon
PayPal
See more from me