[UPDATE] Embracer Group Acquires Perfect World Entertainment And Dark Horse Media

UPDATE: 12/21/21 at 1:00 PM Central News of Embracer Group’s acquisitions are coming fast today, with the holding company now also acquiring the North American operations of Chinese media entity Perfect World Co., Ltd. According to an announcement by Embracer, the agreement is for a one-time payout of $125 million for the Perfect World Entertainment publishing arm and developer Cryptic Studios and those companies’ combined 237 full-time employees. Read the complete announcement here.

Cryptic Studios may be known as the creator of Magic: Legends. It is a multiplayer RPG that takes place in the Magic: The Gathering universe. Unfortunately, the game was not released to the public before it reached the beta stage. However, Cryptic is responsible for other successful MMOs such as Neverwinter and Star Trek Online, both of which it’s still supporting.

Original StoryEmbracer Group has agreed to purchase Dark Horse Media from THQ Nordic’s parent company. Dark Horse Media is a renowned comics company that also holds intellectual property for over 300 franchises. 

This news comes by way of a new Embracer Group press release, which reveals that “due to commercial reasons the specific transaction terms are not disclosed.” Embracer says Dark Horse will become the tenth operative group within the company, which is continuing to grow thanks to today’s acquisition as well as recent acquisitions of Borderlands maker Gearbox and World War Z developer Saber Interactive. 

“Through the acquisition, Embracer strengthens its transmedia capabilities by adding expertise in content development, comics publishing, and film and TV production,” the press release reads. “Dark Horse owns or controls more than 300 intellectual properties, many of which are attractive for future transmedia exploitation, including the creation of new video games.” 

Mike Richardson, Dark Horse founder and CEO, will remain in charge of the comics company despite the purchase. 

“I can’t express the excitement I feel as Dark Horse moves into this new chapter in our history,” Richardson writes in the press release. “The synergies that exist with the Embracer network of companies promises exciting new opportunities not only for Dark Horse, but also for the creators companies we work with. I’ve had a number of compelling conversations with Embracer CEO Lars Wingefors and I’m very impressed with him and what he and his team have built. I have to say, the future of our company has never looked brighter.” 

Dark Horse was founded in 1986 by Richardson with the idea that “writers and artists were treated as partners.” It’s now home to Dark Horse Comics, Dark Horse Entertainment, which is behind series like The Umbrella Academy and Resident AlienThings From Another World and, which are responsible for creating graphic novels and toys as well as statues and other kinds of collectibles. 

It is anticipated that the acquisition will be complete in early 2022. 

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