Confused on Steam Play and Proton? Be sure to check out our guide.
We do often include affiliate links to earn us some pennies. See more here.

Saber Interactive / Embracer Group acquire Aspyr Media, Gearbox

By - | Views: 26,393

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 worldsays 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.
15 Likes
About the author -
author picture
I am the owner of GamingOnLinux. After discovering Linux back in the days of Mandrake in 2003, I constantly came back to check on the progress of Linux until Ubuntu appeared on the scene and it helped me to really love it. You can reach me easily by emailing GamingOnLinux directly. Find me on Mastodon.
See more from me
The comments on this article are closed.
39 comments
Page: «2/4»
  Go to:

RedBatman Feb 3, 2021
Hope they don't go away. Asypr and Feral are some of the few best linux teams out there. Maybe with the merger they will have access to port more games.
Purple Library Guy Feb 3, 2021
The time to worry is if they change their name to "Extender Group" . . . then we'll know the further change to "Extinguisher Group" is just around the corner.
I have no idea what this all will lead to, but THQ Nordic and Koch/Deep Silver both have some Linux games in their stable. Hopefully there will be enough in-house support to keep Linux ports happening for the whole group.

Cautiously optimistic?
BielFPs Feb 3, 2021
They could at least finish to port the last borderlands 2 dlc before they kill their port department.
I understand Aspyr will develop a remake of Knights of the Old Republic
BielFPs Feb 3, 2021
Quoting: Comandante ÑoñardoI 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.
denyasis Feb 3, 2021
Agreed. Combat was fine for me.... But the story.... So dull
Whitewolfe80 Feb 3, 2021
Also worth point out you put Nordic THQ they also own Deep Silver Saints Row and Metro
HerrLange Feb 4, 2021
View PC info
  • Supporter Plus
They also bought Easybrain - a company specialized on mobile casual games - for 765 million $.
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.
Whitewolfe80 Feb 4, 2021
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.[/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.
While you're here, please consider supporting GamingOnLinux on:

Reward Tiers: Patreon. Plain Donations: PayPal.

This ensures all of our main content remains totally free for everyone! Patreon supporters can also remove all adverts and sponsors! Supporting us helps bring good, fresh content. Without your continued support, we simply could not continue!

You can find even more ways to support us on this dedicated page any time. If you already are, thank you!
The comments on this article are closed.