The Rise and Fall of Embracer (aka THQ Nordic)

[Denim Destroyer]

The only new Thief and Deus Ex we need are games with the same impact as those two. Let dead franchises stay dead while allowing something new to flourish.

 

[ferratilis]

Is there a list somewhere of all the studios Embracer killed so far? I wonder if they have overtaken EA at this point.

 

[geno]

Not sure if this is the correct thread to post this but tomorrow we can watch a showcase from THQ

 

[Infinitron]

 

[Abu Antar]

There was a quick Jagged Alliance 3 snippet in the tease. Hope there is something related.

 

[Infinitron]

https://www.thqnordic.com/article/s...veils-new-games-gameplay-and-exciting-teasers

Shots Fired: THQ Nordic's Digital Showcase Unveils New Games, Gameplay, and Exciting Teasers​

Vienna/Austria - August 2nd, 2024: The stage lights have dimmed, and the 2024 THQ Nordic Digital Showcase has officially taken its final bow! We've had a blast unveiling a treasure trove of game updates, reveals, and surprises. Missed the live show? No worries! You can catch all the action on demand across our official channels:

Official THQ Nordic channels to re-watch the Showcase:

• YouTube: https://youtu.be/BWI5exTf9hs
• Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/thqnordic

Get all assets from the THQ Nordic Digital Showcase 2024 here:
https://thqn.net/Showcase2024

THQ Nordic Publisher Sale on Steam
We're rolling out the red carpet for our biggest sale of the year! To celebrate our latest announcements and all the games you love, we're slashing prices like monsters in Titan Quest II. From August 1st, 19:00 CEST / 10:00 AM PDT to August 15th, 19:00 CEST / 10:00 AM PDT, you can grab dozens of our titles at blockbuster discounts - get Darksiders III for 80% off, the Titan Quest Anniversary Edition (plus its add-ons) for 80% off, or snag South Park: Snow Day at 50% off! It's the perfect way to tide you over while you wait for our upcoming hits. Don't miss out — check out the discounted games, upcoming releases, and playable demos right here:
https://thqn.net/THQNSale2024

And now to the best part - here's everything shown in THQ Nordic's Digital Showcase 2024:

The Eternal Life of Goldman
You didn't see this one coming, even after we shared a few hints. This brand-new IP is developed by Weappy Studio, the creative masterminds behind This Is the Police 1+2, Rebel Cops, or This Is the President. The Eternal Life of Goldman is a breathtaking platformer adventure where you explore a vast hand-drawn Archipelago, inspired by ancient fables and depicted in classic frame-by-frame animation. Your ultimate goal? Defeat a mysterious Deity!

Check out the announcement trailer: https://youtu.be/MDMPSmoePe4
Download the assets: https://thqn.net/TELoG-media
Wishlist on Steam: https://thqn.net/TELoG-steam
Wishlist on Xbox: https://thqn.net/TELoG-Xbox
Wishlist on PlayStation: https://thqn.net/TELoG-psn

Space for Sale
Interplanetary adventure Space for Sale just launched into Early Access on Steam! Go solo or share the exciting space realtor journey with a friend and double your chances of success in two-player co-op. Venture out in your trusty ship to discover the wonders of the solar system! Be smart about your approach, learn how the local lifeforms survive, and use your discoveries to enhance the structures and gadgets you create. Research, gather resources, and construct your base - cause yes, you've heard correctly, this space is for sale!

Get Space for Sale right now (and enjoy the 20% launch discount!): https://thqn.net/sfs-steam
Watch the trailer: https://youtu.be/lZ_rXr3bNe4
Download the assets: https://thqn.net/sfs-media

Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed
Embark on a magical journey in Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed! Shape your adventure with the stroke of a brush and transform Wasteland as Mickey Mouse in this beautifully recreated 3D platformer.
Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed is available for pre-order and is scheduled for release across PS4™, PS5™, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo® Switch and PC on September 24, 2024.
Watch the latest trailer: https://youtu.be/R_ZFP4sDsYk
Download the assets: https://thqn.net/emr-media

Wreckfest 2
Ladies and Gentlemen, buckle up and prepare to rev your engines! The ultimate thrill ride is back and more explosive than ever -Wreckfest 2 is set to smash onto PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. This highly anticipated sequel takes the chaos of the racetrack to the next level with a completely overhauled physics engine that delivers unparalleled realism in every bone-crunching collision and metal-twisting crash. Get ready to dominate the track with fully customizable cars, allowing you to create your own unique wrecking machine and share your designs with fellow players around the world. Whether you're tuning your ride for maximum destruction or fine-tuning it for a competitive edge, the possibilities are endless. Don't miss out on the mayhem - wishlist Wreckfest 2 now and be among the first to experience the most destructive racing game ever created.

Watch the announcement trailer: https://youtu.be/PcFycn0BjzE
Download the assets: https://thqn.net/Wreckfest2media
Wishlist on Steam: https://thqn.net/wf2-steam

Titan Quest II
The legendary Action RPG is back with a bang! The gameplay premiere for Titan Quest II has just aired, giving players a tantalizing glimpse of what’s to come. Once again, you'll be plunged into the mythological world of ancient Greece, braving formidable challenges, hunting for exquisite loot, and crafting powerful, unique character builds by blending different masteries. Are you ready to carve out your heroic legend?

Forged in the creative crucible of Grimlore Games in Germany, Titan Quest II is currently under development. This epic odyssey is destined for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series S/X, eagerly anticipated to launch when the time comes.

Check out the gameplay reveal trailer: https://youtu.be/uGQ_9OK8pPI
Download the assets: https://thqn.net/TQ2media
Wishlist on Steam: https://thqn.net/tq2-steam
Website: https://titanquest2.thqnordic.com

Gothic 1 Remake
Welcome back to the new and visually stunning Colony: The Gothic 1 Remake unveils gameplay for the first time, taking players back to familiar places - but now in the astonishing splendor of Unreal Engine 5! Dive deeper into the lore, explore combat and magic, and immerse yourself in a living world where fans might discover some hidden new details. Check out Gothic Remake's first gameplay trailer and enjoy the experience!

Watch the gameplay trailer: https://youtu.be/-pwcnbZtATQ
Download the assets: https://thqn.net/g1r-media

The Gothic Remake is currently in full development, and only Innos knows when it will arrive on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series S/X!
Wishlist here:
Wishlist on Steam: https://thqn.net/g1r-steam
Wishlist on GOG: https://thqn.net/g1r-gog
Wishlist on PSN: https://thqn.net/g1r-psn
Wishlist on Xbox: https://thqn.net/g1r-xbox

Way of the Hunter - Lintukoto Reserve DLC
The Lintukoto Reserve DLC features a diverse array of environments and is home to a rich variety of wildlife, including the elusive Northern Lynx, Mountain Reindeer, Arctic Fox, and the majestic Eurasian Moose. Whether observing from a high vantage point or quietly watching by the river deltas, every moment in Lintukoto Reserve brings a new sight and a deeper connection to nature.
It's available now on PC, PlayStation®5, and Xbox Series X|S!

Watch the trailer here: https://youtu.be/TnVHT_gsYF4
Download all assets: https://thqn.net/3Mm9Nfx

Get the game & the DLC here:
Steam: https://thqn.net/woth-steam
GOG: https://thqn.net/woth-gog
Epic Games Store: https://thqn.net/woth-egs
Xbox: https://thqn.net/woth-xbox
PSN: https://thqn.net/woth-psn

And just a brief mention about the two mysterious teaser trailers at the end:

The cute little piglet (No, this is NOT the game title!!)
They're coming.

From the creators of Little Nightmares I & II comes an entirely new vision, unlike anything you've seen before.
Find out more about Tarsier Studios' next game at Gamescom Opening Night Live, Tuesday, August 20th, 11 AM PDT / 20:00h CEST.

Watch the teaser: https://youtu.be/j5kVjKCCjzo

Darksiders Teaser
Be prepared to ride again...
Will we reveal anything else at this point in history? No.

Stay tuned and enjoy the teaser: https://youtu.be/WHuefHUAX3g

 

[Abu Antar]

Way less stuff than I expected. Titan Quest II nails the visuals, gameplay is yet to be determined.

Gothic Remake, I will reserve judgement.

 

[duskvile]

Untitled Thief game ... yes I can dream.

 

[Baron Dupek]

Another Darksiders game? Though that Genesis was the 4th and final entry, with last horseman getting his own game already.

Made by same studio that developed 3rd game, which got a bit cold reception. Each game plays a bit different and 3rd is one of the weakest "soulslikes" by long shot.
Their Remnants series is good which means they've learned the right lesson and improved, giving hope for a good 4th game.

 

[Infinitron]

https://www.videogameschronicle.com...nteractive-has-made-another-round-of-layoffs/

Embracer studio Lost Boys Interactive has made another round of layoffs​

The support studio’s credits include Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands, Diablo 4 and PUBG

Embracer studio Lost Boys Interactive has laid off an unspecified number of employees.

Formed in 2017, Madison, Wisconsin-based Lost Boys is a remote-first, co-development studio whose credits include the WWE 2K series, Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands, PUBG, Diablo 4 and New World.

In an announcement on LinkedIn, Lost Boys noted that its status as a support studio is directly influenced by the projects and priorities of its development clients.

“The need to adapt to shifting market conditions within the video game industry has required us to reassess our operations to align with the evolving needs of our business and our partners,” it said.

Lost Boys, which also suffered a heavy round of layoffs in January, employs over 200 staff across more than 40 US states and Canada, according to its website.

“Today is a challenging day for Lost Boys Interactive as we face the difficult decision to reduce our workforce,” CEO Shaun Nivens said in a statement.

“We recognize the impact of this decision on our team members, who have contributed greatly to our success. Decisions involving staff reductions are never made lightly, and this action was taken only after considering all other options.

“We are committed to supporting them in every way we can during this transition.”

Game developer Farhan Noor, who has been tracking job cuts dating back to the start of 2022 on videogameslayoffs.com, estimates that around 10,500 games industry employees were laid off last year.

Following news of the Lost Boys layoffs, it’s estimated that 11,540 games industry jobs have been lost so far this year.

 

[Infinitron]

 

[Infinitron]

https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/cryptic-studios-is-laying-off-staff-at-the-end-of-october

Cryptic Studios is laying off staff at the end of October​

Some employees at Cryptic have already confirmed they'll be impacted by the incoming reductions at the studio.

Almost a full year after its last round of layoffs, Cryptic Studios is letting go of more staff. Various workers on LinkedIn revealed they were impacted, and that they will no longer be at the studio after October 31.

The exact number of layoffs is unclear, but character artist Amelia March said she "and many of my talented coworkers have been impacted by the most recent layoffs at the company. [...] I truly wish all the best for my fellow Cryptonians, and everyone in the games industry at large facing the same."

"I will be leaving Cryptic Studios at the end of this month," wrote senior artist Mauricio Tejerina. "I am part of a layoff along with other talented people who have become like family to me over the past 10 years."

Cryptic's upcoming layoffs were further confirmed by art director Thomas Marrone, who lamented the "wonderful people being let go, through no fault of their own. I have worked with some of them for over a decade, and their loss will be deeply felt."

The Neverwinter and Star Trek Online studio is owned by Embracer. Last year's cuts were conducted as part of a larger restructuring effort at the company, though it is unclear why it began reducing staff at Cryptic this time, and if other studios will also face reductions soon.

Earlier this week, Rime developer Tequila Works let go of a "small amount" of staff after it canceled one project it was working on to prioritize a different one.

 

[toro]

https://www.gamesindustry.biz/embracer-pc-and-console-sales-plummet-during-q2

Embracer PC and console sales plummet during Q2​

Net sales overall were down 21% as the number of game developers working at the firm decreased from 10,654 to 6,250

Looking at its game development projects currently in the works, it went from 201 in Q2 FY24 to 128 during Q2 FY25.