General Gaming News II: Steam Helpdesk Site Leak

[6souls]

Tencent is trying to spread the wealth and remove as much of it from China as legally possible. China does have a history of seizing assets.

[Salodin]

Ah I'm fine with that.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

[6souls]

Rumor: KOTOR Remake in Development at EA
http://www.cinelinx.com/news/knights...rds-exclusive/

One of the sources on this was the person who originally leaked that Ewan McGregor had signed on with Disney's Kenobi series.

https://www.dualshockers.com/knight-...outside-of-ea/

New KOTOR is no longer being made by EA.

[Qalbert]

https://twitter.com/AllGamesDelta_/s...65665567121411

[Kaisha]

Well, that's relatively close to Vancouver which housed EA Blackbox, the original creators of Skate. Wonder how much of the core devs behind the series that they could salvage for the job.

[6souls]

Kotaku: Sonic The Hedgehog Voice Actor Roger Craig Smith Departs Role.
https://kotaku.com/sonic-the-hedgeho...art-1846154642

[6souls]

Kotaku: Gearbox Has Been Bought.
https://kotaku.com/gearbox-has-been-...ion-1846186922

The Embracer Group who also owns THQ Nordic and Koch Media purchased them for $363M with a promise for another $1B if Gearbox can hit certain sales targets within six years.

[6souls]

Kotaku: Gearbox Has Been Bought.
https://kotaku.com/gearbox-has-been-...ion-1846186922

The Embracer Group who also owns THQ Nordic and Koch Media purchased them for $363M with a promise for another $1B if Gearbox can hit certain sales targets within six years.

Embracer Group ("Embracer"), has today entered into a merger agreement with US based The Gearbox Entertainment Company ("Gearbox"). Gearbox, based in Frisco, TX and founded in 1999, has been self-funded by the employees from inception. Post-closing, Gearbox will become a seventh operating group as a wholly own subsidiary of Embracer. Gearbox Founder and CEO Randy Pitchford will continue to lead Gearbox, and Randy Pitchford and the employees of Gearbox will jointly become a significant shareholder in Embracer. Gearbox brings highly creative AAA development studios, North American publishing capabilities and a robust IP portfolio, including critically acclaimed and iconic franchises like Borderlands, Brothers in Arms and Homeworld.

The day one purchase price amounts to USD 363 million in total, on a cash and debt free basis, of which USD 175 million is paid in newly issued Embracer B shares (the “Closing Consideration Shares”) and the residual in cash. Subject to fulfilment of agreed financial and operational targets in the next six years, an additional consideration of maximum USD 1,015 million may be paid, of which a maximum of USD 360 million in issued Embracer B shares (the “Additional Consideration Shares”) and the residual in cash. To earn the maximum consideration, USD 1,378 million the accumulated Adjusted EBITDA, including expensed development costs, must exceed USD 1,300 million over six years.

“Gearbox is arguably one of the most creative and valuable independent developers in the world. We believe that the resources offered by Embracer will position Gearbox for continued significant growth in the years to come” says Lars Wingefors, Founder and Group CEO of Embracer Group.

“Lars’s vision of Embracer as an allied partner group committed to fueling and accelerating the ambitions of a series of decentralized, successful entrepreneurial member companies while magnifying the collective value and advantages of diversification across the entire group is the most brilliant strategy and design for short, medium, and long-term success in this industry that I have worked in during 30 years. The feeling at Gearbox is that we are just getting started and this transaction is not merely a stimulant for the talent of our employee-owned company, but a propellent for the exciting future we have planned.” said Randy Pitchford, founder of The Gearbox Entertainment Company.

Through the merger, Embracer onboards one of the leading independent companies within the games industry, with proven experience of creating long-lasting franchises and delivering strong original content. The merger will enable collaboration within Embracer in terms of development, publishing, technology, IPs as well as a platform for further M&A in North America. Gearbox will become the seventh operating group and continue to operate as an independent studio focusing on premium interactive gaming experiences.

Aspyr (Rumored KOTOR 3 Dev) - ~$450M

Embracer Group AB ("Embracer") through its wholly owned subsidiary Saber Interactive ("Saber"), has today entered into an agreement to acquire US-based Aspyr Media ("Aspyr") by merger from the founders Michael Rogers and Ted Staloch. The day one purchase price amounts to USD 100 million on a cash and debt free basis, where USD 60 million is paid in cash and USD 40 million is paid in newly issued Embracer B shares. An additional consideration of a maximum of USD 350 million may be paid under the agreement subject to certain conditions. Aspyr will be a stand-alone entity under Saber Interactive. Aspyr is an independent developer and publisher with more than 24 years’ experience in finding beloved IPs and connecting them with new audiences on all platforms. Through the acquisition, Embracer Group onboards a team of 140 seasoned developers lead by the founders.

“I have been a fan of Aspyr for longer than I have been in the industry. Michael and Ted are true entrepreneurs that have built a business by identifying and exploiting opportunity where no one else saw it. They are a perfect fit for Embracer and I am proud to now call them partners. Together we will be able to greatly expand our development and publishing activities here in the US. Stay tuned for details on some of the amazing games we have under joint development. Today is a truly amazing day for Saber and the entire Group” says Matthew Karch, CEO Saber Interactive and Director of the Embracer Board.

“We are thrilled to join forces with Saber and to become part of the entire Embracer family. We are confident that Embracer is the ideal partner for us as we look to accelerate growth and execute on our exciting pipeline. We have been in the games industry for two and a half decades, but it feels like we are just getting started. We look forward to exploring opportunities to collaborate with other entrepreneurs within the wider Embracer Group to bring celebrated games to our fellow gamers around the world” says Michael Rogers, Co-founder and CEO Aspyr.

Aspyr has an exciting pipeline and is looking to build on its’ vast catalogue during the next few years as well as to bring out new content based on multiple licensed IP’s. Aspyr currently has several games under development including one major ongoing game development project with a approximately budget of USD 70 million. that is expected to become an important for the entire group. These development projects will engage more than 200 internal and external developers with the core team in Austin, Texas, and will contribute to Embracer’s release slate in the coming years.

Easybrain - $640M

Embracer Group AB ("Embracer"), has today entered into an agreement to merge with Cyprus-based Easybrain Limited ("Easybrain") in an all equity transaction for a day one purchase price amounting to USD 640 million on a cash and debt free basis plus a maximum of USD 125 million in additional consideration. The sellers, Easybrain’s senior management, Peter Skoromnyi, Matvey Timoshenko and Oleg Grushevich, will post-closing, jointly become the third largest shareholder in Embracer. Easybrain will become Embracer’s eighth operative group as a wholly owned subsidiary and continue to be led by its existing management.

Easybrain is a leading mobile game developer with a core focus on advertising-based puzzle and logic games. Easybrain’s titles have more than 750 million installs to date and 12 million daily active users across 15 live games.

“I am excited to welcome Peter, Matvey, Oleg and the entire Easybrain team to the Embracer family. Easybrain is a highly diversified growth business with a market leading position in timeless puzzle and logic games. They are an extremely experienced and process driven team with a superior tech platform and world class UA capabilities. Easybrain has repeatedly demonstrated the capability to develop, scale globally, and operate category leading puzzle and logic games. By joining forces with Easybrain, we have meaningfully accelerated Embracer’s mobile and free-to-play business” says Lars Wingefors, Co-founder and Group CEO of Embracer Group.

“We are delighted that Easybrain merges with Embracer. We are extremely proud of the team that brought our business to what it is today, and now we feel it’s time to become part of something bigger. We are positive that our future efforts will contribute greatly to the group results and are excited to be part of such a great group of entrepreneurs under Lars’ leadership” says Oleg Grushevich, CEO and Co-founder of Easybrain.

Through the acquisition, Embracer adds a leading mobile game developer with proven ability to launch, scale up and operate multiple global category leaders within the logic and puzzle game genre. Embracer sees a great opportunity in supporting Easybrain to continue developing strong mobile game titles and be able to leverage the expertise of Easybrain across the Embracer organization.

Within the Embracer Group, Easybrain will post-transaction become the eighth operating group. Easybrain will continue to operate as an independent developer and publisher focused on mobile games with continued leadership by its existing management team. Easybrains focus will be to drive long term organic growth rather than to grow through bolt on acquisitions.

[Qalbert]

If there is a thread for this I'm blind/search is broken. Sands of Time remake delayed indefinitely. (Possibly because of the backlash, it honestly didn't look great and people were upset)
https://twitter.com/AllGamesDelta_/s...40580047118338

[6souls]

Bohemia Interactive (Arma/DayZ) x Tencent

Bohemia Interactive, a leading games developer in Czechia is announcing today that Tencent Holding has agreed to acquire a minority stake in the company. Following the strategic investment, Bohemia Interactive will continue to operate independently and be led by the existing management team. With more than 21 years in the game industry, Bohemia Interactive has a proven track record of games like Arma and Dayz and is working together with Tencent to bring their PC/mobile sandbox game creation platform Ylands to Chinese players and game makers. Terms of the investment are not disclosed.

"We are pleased to deepen our relationship with Tencent, one of the most significant internet companies in the world. We look forward to working on our current and future generations of games with the support of a strong partner that has known us for many years and understands our unique approach to online games,"said Marek Španěl, CEO of Bohemia Interactive.

About Bohemia Interactive

Bohemia Interactive is based in the Czech Republic, was established in 1999, and develops PC, console, and mobile games. Our story began with our first game, Arma: Cold War Assault (originally published by Codemasters as Operation Flashpoint) which was released back in 2001. It sold 2 million copies, received numerous industry awards, and was praised by critics and players alike. Since then, we've grown from a ragtag bunch of garage devs to an international family of over 300 professionals – working on games like Arma 3, DayZ, Ylands, Vigor, and various other projects. Our ambition: to make games that act as platforms for people to explore, create, and connect. More information is available at bohemia.net.

EA Acquires Glu Mobile

Electronic Arts, a globalleader in interactive entertainment, and Glu Mobile, a leading global developer and publisher of mobile games including Design Home, Covet Fashion, and MLB Tap Sports Baseball, have entered into a definitive agreement under which Electronic Arts will acquire Glu. Under the terms of the agreement, EA will acquire Glu for $2.1 billion in enterprise value. Glu stockholders will receive $12.50 in cash for each share of Glu stock, representing a 36% premium to Glu’s closing share price on February 5, 2021. Upon closing, the acquisition will be immediately accretive to Electronic Arts’ total net bookings, and is expected to grow underlying profitability beginning in its first year.

The acquisition will immediately add significant scale to Electronic Arts’ mobile games business. The combination of Electronic Arts and Glu creates a leading mobile product portfolio that includes more than 15 top live services across fast-growing genres with a combined $1.32 billion in bookings over the last twelve months. Bringing together the best-in-class mobile development teams at Glu and Electronic Arts’ mobile business, with a collective portfolio of powerful IP in sports, lifestyle, RPG, casual and other genres, and leveraging Electronic Arts’ marketing and distribution strength to generate global reach, the combined organization will build on EA’s network of 430 million players, including more than 100 million monthly active players in mobile, and expand to new audiences and demographics all over the world.

“Our acquisition of Glu combines amazing teams and deeply-engaging products to create a mobile games leader with proven expertise across many fast-growing genres,” said Andrew Wilson, CEO of Electronic Arts. “Mobile continues to grow as the biggest gaming platform in the world, and with the addition of Glu’s games and talent, we’re doubling the size of our mobile business. With a deep IP portfolio and an expanding global audience, we’ll deliver more exciting experiences for our players and drive further growth for Electronic Arts.”

“This transaction is the culmination of the tremendous work of the Glu team to deliver world-class interactive experiences for our players, while driving business momentum that has led to strong financial and operational results. It represents a terrific outcome for all of our stockholders and other key constituents,” said Nick Earl, CEO of Glu. “As part of Electronic Arts, we will continue capitalizing on the opportunities ahead in the expanding mobile gaming industry.”

https://news.ea.com/press-releases/p...t/default.aspx

[Gokulo]

https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2...s-headed-to-pc

Days Gone coming to PC, to be followed by more PS exclusives

[Nitsuki]

Bloodborne is the only game that matters to be ported to PC.

[6souls]

https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2...s-headed-to-pc

Days Gone coming to PC, to be followed by more PS exclusives

https://twitter.com/BendStudio/statu...32428223533058

[Kaisha]

Hopefully gives them an excuse to bug fix the game more, and in return, patch those into the PS4 version. Granted they are just giving the damn game for free to any PS5 owner at this point.

[6souls]

Zynga Acquires Echtra Games (Torchlight Series)

Zynga, a global leader in interactive entertainment, today announced that it has acquired Echtra Games, a cross-platform game studio composed of a development team whose core members have previously shaped the world of action role-playing games through their work on genre-defining titles including Diablo, Diablo II, the Torchlight franchise and more.

The Echtra Games team strengthens Zynga’s cross-platform play future by adding talented developers with extensive cross-platform play experience as well as proprietary cross-platform development tools and technologies that have been built on top of the Unreal Engine. Specifically, the Echtra Games team will be developing a new, yet to be announced RPG for cross-platform play in partnership with Zynga’s NaturalMotion studio.

“Max and his team at Echtra Games are responsible for some of the most legendary game properties ever created, and they are experts in the action RPG genre and cross-platform development. I’m excited to welcome the Echtra Games team into the Zynga family,” said Frank Gibeau, Chief Executive Officer of Zynga. “This acquisition will be instrumental in growing our iconic licenses and brands from mobile to PCs and consoles, while helping to further expand Zynga’s total addressable market.”

"Echtra Games is delighted to be joining the Zynga family,” said Max Schaefer, Chief Executive Officer of Echtra Games. “We share Zynga’s vision that cross-platform play is an essential part of the future of RPGs and interactive entertainment and are eager to apply our vast experience and talents to this effort."

Echtra Games was founded in 2016 and is led by an experienced group of industry veterans. Max Schaefer and his leadership team co-founded companies such as Blizzard North, Flagship Studios and Runic Games, and have strong development experience on titles such as Diablo, Diablo II, the Torchlight franchise, The Sims 4 and more. Echtra Games’ veteran employees have worked with companies such as Blizzard, Disney, Electronic Arts, Runic Games, Kabam and Undead Labs. Echtra Games’ development team has published and run live services on mobile, PC, Playstation 4, XBox One and the Nintendo Switch.

[Cantih]

https://twitter.com/HiddenPathEnt/st...01985450598400

Hidden Path has previously worked with Valve to make CS:GO.

[Corrderio]

Gimme TF3

[Cantih]

Silly, Valve can't count to three.

[6souls]

Tomb Raider: Definitive Survivor Trilogy - Leaked by Microsoft

Tomb Raider: Definitive Survivor Trilogy is the complete edition of the award-winning Tomb Raider origin games. This collection contains all the definitive edition content from each critically acclaimed prequel title—Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition, Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration, and Shadow of the Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition.

Follow Lara on her formative journey across the world, starting in Tomb Raider trapped on the shrouded island of Yamatai off the coast of Japan, to the harsh Siberian tundra hiding an immortal secret in Rise of the Tomb Raider, and finally to the mountainous landscape of Peru to uncover a cataclysmic power in Shadow of the Tomb Raider. With all the definitive edition content from each game, this Trilogy promises dozens of hours of breathtaking exploration, challenging puzzle-solving, and survival combat with Lara as she becomes the Tomb Raider she was destined to become.

[Serra]