Take-Two Interactive Acquires Gearbox Entertainment for 70 Billion Yen; New Borderlands Series in Development

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Due to Embracer Group's financial crisis, the possibility of selling Gearbox Entertainment has been explored for some time, but as attention has been focused on the future of the studio, including the Borderlands franchise, Embracer Group recently released a press release. Issued a release announcing the signing of an agreement with “Take-Two Interactive” regarding the sale of the studio. It has been revealed that Take-Two Interactive, which owns 2K, which has been in charge of publishing the Borderlands series since its inception, has acquired Gearbox Entertainment for $460 million (approximately 70 billion yen). I did.

The sale includes three studios, Gearbox Software and Gearbox Montréal, Gearbox Studio Quebec, and the Borderlands and Tiny Tina franchises, Homeworld, Risk of Rain, Brothers in Arms and Duke Nukem. The transaction is expected to be completed by June 2024 (the end of Take-Two's FY25Q1).

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In addition, Gearbox Publishing San Francisco (formerly Perfect World Entertainment), which was previously part of Embracer Group's Gearbox business group, has acquired the “Remnant” franchise, publishing rights for unreleased games including “Hyper Light Breaker,” NeverWinter Online and Star Trek. It has been confirmed that “Cryptic Studios,” “Lost Boys Interactive,” and “Captured Dimensions,” including Online, will remain with Embracer Group and will be integrated into other Embracer divisions in the future.

According to a report from Embracer Group, this sale will significantly reduce the group's debt, earn-out balance, and capital investment, which were the direct causes of the large-scale restructuring and sale.

In addition, “Gearbox Entertainment” and “Take-Two Interactive” have also reported the conclusion of acquisition agreements, and currentlyGearbox and 2K are working together on the latest installment of the Borderlands seriesIt turns out that.

According to a report from Take-Two, Gearbox is currently developing five sequels, including two new Borderlands games and a new Homeworld series.

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The future of “Gearbox” has literally settled into its original sheath, but with this sale, we are looking forward to seeing whether plans for the latest installment of the “Borderlands” series will finally be put into motion. is.

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