All articles tagged with #embracer group
An opinion piece laments big‑studio monetization of The Lord of the Rings, noting Amazon canceled its LOTR MMO but still pursues IP projects, arguing the books’ themes deserve space rather than relentless IP-ification—while acknowledging some adaptations like Rings of Power and Shadow of Mordor and even suggesting fan projects in the public domain as a sweeter alternative.
The Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis Steam page includes an AI disclosure stating AI-assisted tools were used for early exploration and temporary development content, with AI assets refined by humans to preserve the creative vision; Crystal Dynamics later reiterated that AI helps iterate ideas but all final content is human-crafted, a stance echoed by Embracer amid ongoing restructuring and fan concern about AI in the remake.
Warhorse Studios says the next Kingdom Come adventure is targeting its next fiscal year (April 2027–March 2028), potentially delivering Kingdom Come: Deliverance 3 sooner than the seven-year gap between KCD1 and KCD2. Described as a new Kingdom Come open-world RPG, the project may run alongside Warhorse’s open-world Middle-earth game, with no official date yet. Fan expectations are mixed—optimistic about a faster release but wary about compromising quality—while the franchise rides momentum from KCD2’s ~5 million copies sold and a film in development.
Former Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick claims the 2022 Delaware Court of Chancery lawsuit opposing Microsoft’s $67.8 billion Activision deal was allegedly designed to help Embracer increase its foothold in California at Activision’s expense, a claim he made in his response to the AP7 suit; Embracer denies the accusation and Kotick has previously described other lawsuits as fake amid scrutiny of Activision Blizzard’s past misconduct allegations.
Embracer Group will spin off Fellowship Entertainment as a separately listed company while restructuring for efficiency after reporting a 24% fall in Q4 net sales and a SEK 7.2 billion non-cash impairment. Fellowship will focus on premium IP (Kingdom Come: Deliverance, Tomb Raider, The Lord of the Rings, Dead Island, Darksiders, Remnant) and target at least two major game releases annually from FY27/28, while the remaining Embracer entity pursues tighter costs and disciplined capital allocation. Müge Bouillon was named deputy CEO to strengthen governance, and Embracer will begin segment reporting in Q1 FY2026/27.
Embracer will spin off Fellowship Entertainment into a standalone IP-led company housing The Lord of the Rings, Tomb Raider and other legacy IPs, with plans to list on Nasdaq Stockholm in 2027 to unlock value and attract international investors. Phil Rogers will serve as CEO of Fellowship, while Embracer focuses on core gaming and film distribution and expands licensing and publishing of its brands. The move follows prior spin-offs and a broader restructuring, backed by a buyback and stronger results.
Embracer Group will spin off Fellowship Entertainment as a standalone, Stockholm-listed company to manage The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit and Tomb Raider IPs, plus related studios and a publishing arm; it will begin trading in the 2026-27 fiscal year. The remaining Embracer will continue as a separate business, with leadership moves to Fellowship and a new CEO/CFO for Embracer being sought. The move aims to sharpen management focus and unlock IP value after years of restructuring, as quarterly sales fell 24% while the entertainment unit grew 23%.
Warhorse Studios refused to confirm or deny a Lord of the Rings project for Embracer, saying they’re hard at work on a “huge, immersive RPG” with no details available. The rumour stemmed from a Polish Tolkien podcast and was later acknowledged in social posts, leaving the LOTR speculation unresolved while the studio focuses on undisclosed work.
Crystal Dynamics is reportedly developing a new The Lord of the Rings game funded by the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) with about $100 million, with Embracer and Revenge involved; the project has been in development for some time and no official release window has been shared, with both Embracer and Crystal Dynamics declining to comment.
Embracer-owned Eidos-Montréal announced 124 layoffs and the departure of studio head David Anfossi, saying the cuts reflect changing project needs. A transition plan is underway and leadership decisions will be announced as finalised, with Anfossi having led the studio for nearly two decades and the broader restructuring impacting the group.
Eidos Montreal confirms 124 layoffs and the departure of veteran studio head David Anfossi, as the studio undergoes leadership restructuring after its 2022 sale to Embracer; the studio hasn’t released a game in years and has canceled several projects, including a new Deus Ex and a Soul Reboot reboot, with a transition plan in place and further leadership updates to come.
Eidos Montreal, the studio behind Deus Ex and Tomb Raider, is laying off 124 employees and parting ways with longtime studio head David Anfossi as part of Embracer Group’s ongoing downsizing. The company cited changing project needs across production and support as the reason for the cuts. Eidos Montreal is reportedly still involved with upcoming Grounded 2 from Obsidian and a reimagined Fable from Playground Games, though the studio’s current projects were not specified in its notice.
Saints Row is effectively dead, according to original design director Chris Stockman, who says Embracer ghosted his revival pitch after the underwhelming 2022 reboot and the 2023 shutdown of Volition; with no Saints Row titles on the horizon, Stockman argues the franchise can’t compete with GTA, which is slated for GTA 6 release in 2026.
Original Saints Row designer Chris Stockman says the franchise is dead after Embracer ghosted his pitch for a 1970s prequel, following the troubled 2022 reboot and Volition's 2023 shutdown as part of the publisher's restructuring; Stockman's comments underscore ongoing turmoil around the series and Embracer's handling of its studios.
Voice actor Elias Toufexis announced that a new Deus Ex game won't be coming in 2026, criticizing the current management as 'psychopaths,' and highlighting ongoing uncertainties about the franchise's future under Embracer Group's control.