Embracer Cancels Sale of Metro’s 4A Games and Zen Studios

Embracer has decided to keep Metro developer 4A Games and Pinball developer Zen Studios within its portfolio, following the cancellation of their proposed sale. The studios had initially been included in the $247 million sale of assets related to the Saber Interactive division, but that deal has now been finalized without their inclusion.

Lars Wingefors, co-founder and CEO of Embracer, expressed satisfaction with this decision. He said, “We are satisfied with the conclusion of this transaction and very glad to see the great teams and assets of 4A Games and Zen Studios remain within Embracer. They will be important building blocks in our continued journey.” Wingefors also confirmed that 4A Games currently has two AAA titles in development, which the company is excited to announce in the near future.

Restructuring and Sale Impact

Embracer has gone through significant restructuring, shedding thousands of jobs and closing multiple studios. The company’s rapid expansion, fueled by mergers and acquisitions, faced a setback when a major $2 billion deal fell through last year. As a result, the company started cutting costs, leading to the closure of notable studios like Volition, the makers of Saints Row, and others such as Free Radical Design.

Matthew Karch, former CEO of Saber Interactive, acknowledged the decision to retain 4A Games. “It was always our intention to exercise on 4A, but we thought it would be better for all parties for the studio to stay with Embracer,” Karch told Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier.

This news follows Embracer’s attempts to streamline operations in a changing business environment, retaining key assets for future growth.