Embracer Group has announced that it has acquired Tomb Raider developer Crystal Dynamics along with Square Enix Montreal and Eidos Montreal, adding dozens of classic back-catalog games to its roster.
Swedish gaming conglomerate Embracer Group has been snapping up companies left and right over the last few years. It acquired Gearbox Software, Perfect World, and several other developers in 2021 alone. Now, it has made yet another ambitious round of acquisitions -- and picked up some iconic gaming franchises in the process.
Embracer Group Now Owns These IPs
The latest round of Embracer Group acquisitions doesn't just include several notable game developers like Crystal Dynamics and Eidos Montreal -- it also means that it now owns the rights to several iconic gaming franchises. These include Tomb Raider, Deux Ex, Thief, and Legacy of Kain.
While back catalog games are sure to bring in some long-term cash -- who doesn't pick up a golden oldie when a Steam Sale comes around? -- Embracer Group is also keen on leveraging these franchises for the modern day.
One of the major points highlighted in the press release announcing these acquisitions is the fact that a new Tomb Raider game is in development. It's unclear if this new Tomb Raider game will feature the modern Lara Croft, classic Lara Croft, or something else entirely.
Interestingly, today's announcement makes the rather unsurprising suggestion that all of these companies have one project or another in development. The fact that it highlighted older, somewhat niche franchises such as Deus Ex, Thief, and Legacy of Kain certainly perks my ears up -- these are all great games that could provide some really impressive entertainment if they're done right.
This latest purchase could potentially revive some of the gaming greats that have fallen by the wayside over the years. Sadly, we can't really say what the result of this will be until the various developers now under the Embracer Group umbrella decide to announce it.
