Saber Interactive is officially splitting from Embracer Group, bringing a few more studios formerly owned by the Swedish company with it as well.
As reported yesterday, Embracer Group confirmed it has agreed to sell Saber Interactive to Beacon Interactive, a company owned by Saber’s co-founder Matthew Karch, for $247 million. As such, Embracer officially ceases all operations in Russia, improving the company’s cash flow and reducing future liabilities.
Saber will keep multiple subsidiary studios, including 3D Realms, DIGIC, Fractured Bytes, Mad Head Games, New World Interactive, Nimble Giant Entertainment, Sandbox Strategies, and Slipgate Ironworks. Unlike what was announced by the Swedish group, 4A Games, developers of the Metro series and Zen Studios will reportedly remain with Saber, as they are being brought along through options, which amount to a purchase price of around $500, as reported by Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier.
In a letter to staff obtained by Bloomberg News, new Saber CEO Matt Karch confirms that they’ve already decided to take 4A and Zen, despite messaging from Embracer suggesting that it may retain the two studios: pic.twitter.com/RtYVL9qUUJ
— Jason Schreier (@jasonschreier) March 14, 2024
Considering how Embracer Group mismanaged pretty much every studio it has acquired, Saber Interactive’s split can only be good news for a lot of different franchises. While nothing can be done for canceled games from developers still owned by the Swedish company, like the Deus Ex revival from Eidos Montreal, some projects that have gone missing in action, like the Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic remake, which is staying with Saber, could be revitalized by this split.
