Huge action. On the 2nd, Square Enix cleared 3 studios including Eidos Interactive and Crystal Dynamics in one go, and transferred a total of 50 game IPs from the three series of “Tomb Raider”, “The Hacker”, and “Legacy of Kain”, with a total revenue. 300 million US dollars (equivalent to about 8.9 billion New Taiwan dollars), the action is not small.
Sqex pointed out in the press release that this transaction reflects the mid-term business goals announced in 2021, adapts to changes in the global business environment, and achieves more effective resource allocation and business structure optimization.
This time, Embracer Group AB, which packaged SQEX European and American kinetic energy with US$300 million, is headquartered in Sweden. It was originally a subsidiary of Game Outlet Europe, a game sales channel, and later acquired and expanded its development and distribution forces for a long time.
Embracer Group currently holds 8 business units including THQ Nordic, Koch Media, and Coffee Stain, with a total staff of about 5,700. In 2021, the developer of “Forbidden Land” was acquired by Gearbox Entertainment Company for US$1.3 billion, about NT$36.3 billion.
Because this clearance belongs to the property of SQEX Europe, it is also an important force in the European and American markets for a long time, including about 3 studios, 8 global locations, and about 1,100 employees; the news attracted attention from all walks of life. The focus of this clearing studio is as follows:
Crystal Dynamics
Founded in 1992, acquired by Eidos Interactive in 1998, and became part of SQEX Europe in 2009 with Eidos. Its famous games include Tomb Raider: The Undying Legend, Tomb Raider: Return to Forbidden Land, 2013 version of Tomb Raider, Rise of the Tomb Raider, Marvel’s Avengers, etc.
Eidos Interactive
The original Eidos was established in 1990, acquired by SQEX for £84.3 million in 2009, and then merged into the main body of SQEX Europe, with only the relevant studios retaining the Eidos name. It mainly has two studios, Eidos Montreal and Square Enix Montreal.
Eidos Montreal：Founded in 2007, as a member of Eidos, its development games include “The Hacking: Human Revolution”, “Rogues”, “Hacking Humans”, “Shadow of the Tomb Raider”, “Marvel Interstellar” team”.
Square Enix Montreal：Founded in 2011, it mainly focuses on mobile device games, including “Assassin Mission Go”, “Lara Croft Go”, “Hacking Go” and other works.
After the completion of this transaction, Square Enix Group’s development momentum will be maintained in SQEX’s Japanese studios, external studios (Square Enix External Studios), and independent distribution brand Square Enix Collective.
The transaction is expected to be completed in two installments in July and September 2022.
