Embracer Group buys Crystal Dynamics, Eidos and Square Enix Montreal, with Tomb Raider, Deus Ex, Thief IPs

Embracer Group has announced a deal to acquire Crystal Dynamics, Eidos and Square Enix Montreal from Square Enix Europe, which also includes over 50 IPs including grave robbingr, Thief, deus exand inheritance from Cain. The Swedish games and media company also owns a number of notable studios and IPs, including its 2021 acquisition of Perfect World Entertainment, Gearbox Software and Dark Horse Media, as well as a number of notable IPs.

This new deal is valued at $300 million, according to Embracer Group’s official release on the acquisition. While $300 million might seem almost small given some of the billion-dollar deals announced in recent months, the IP suite and beyond seemed to draw Embracer Group to reflect the company’s reach and diversity of studios and IP further expand property. This also gives Square Enix an opportunity to relieve those studios that have experienced both success and frustration, particularly with the release of Marvel’s Avengers.

“The acquisition builds on Embracer’s mission to create a leading independent global gaming and entertainment ecosystem. Embracer was particularly impressed with the studio’s rich portfolio of original IP, case brands with proven global potential such as Tomb Raider and Deus Ex, demonstrating the ability to create AAA games with large and growing fan bases. There are compelling opportunities for the studios to grow organically to maximize their commercial opportunities,” the deal’s release said.

With this deal, the full list of IPs has not yet been confirmed, but there is a new one Tomb Raider game in development. As with previous acquisitions by Embracer Group, these studios will continue to operate unchanged but with new owners upon the closing of this transaction, which is expected between July and September of this year.

Embracer Group closed 2021 with several significant deals, including the purchase of Perfect World Entertainment, which owns Cryptic Studios and similar IPs Never winter and Star Trek Online.