Embracer Group Acquires The Lord Of The Rings, The Hobbit, Seven Game Studios, And More

Embracer Group makes big moves. The conglomerate acquired the rights to The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit IPs – more specifically, Middle-earth Enterprises, which owns an extensive collection of “motion pictures, video games, board games, merchandising, theme parks, stage productions,” and the literary works themselves. Moreover, seven studios – Limited Run Games, Singtrix, Tuxedo Labs, Tatsujin, Tripwire Interactive, Bitwave Games, and an undisclosed company within PC/Console gaming have also been acquired. Embracer Group has also added Gioteck to its portfolio, which is well-known for gaming accessories. You can see everything in Wario64’s Twitter thread below. 

Many games were shipped by the acquired studios: Shantae and Super Meat Boy. River City Girls. Teardown. Killing Floor. Chivalry 2. Snow Bros. Flying Shark. Gimmick. A lengthy section in the acquisition documents speaks to Embracer’s expanded catalog and reads as follows:   

“Strategically the Transactions further strengthen and diversify Embracer’s portfolio with profitable IPs & franchises. The Lord of the Rings is a well-known IP and the whole Middle-earth Universe offers substantial growth opportunities in PC/console and Mobile games. Middle-earth Enterprises also increases Embracer’s high margin licensing revenues from external partners and creates a platform to accelerate growth in this source of revenue from the group’s vast IP catalog. Tripwire Interactive and Tuxedo Labs, with high quality studios, strong franchises, such as Killing Floor and Teardown, and additional publishing capabilities in North America, solidifies Embracer’s leading position within the AA/A/Indie segment of the PC/Console market. Further, the group consolidates its efforts in asset care and retro gaming with the leading direct-to-consumer publishing brand Limited Run Games, with considerable potential for improved monetization of the group’s back catalog and IPs over time. Singtrix has been acquired by Embracer, which opens new doors for audio-gaming products. Singtrix will expand its vocal technology platform to include streaming music, mobile and other franchises, as well as a wide variety of musical games. In addition to the five communicated acquisitions today, Embracer has entered into agreement to acquire another company within PC/Console gaming that, for commercial reasons, is not disclosed today.” 

The unnamed company is in PC/Console gaming –Who do you believe it to be? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.