In 2018, two companies have performed a shopping spree. They were Microsoft and THQ Nordic – who not only gained studios but IPs as well -, and the latter seems to continue their recent approach.

THQ Nordic announced that their newest acquisition is Piranha Bytes. This team previously developed the Gothic, and the Risen series – their newest title is called ELEX. By acquiring the dev team, the firm gained their intellectual properties (IPs) as well. (And they already tease ELEX 2 in their press release. Hmm…)

We don’t know the exact amount behind the transaction, but, according to the press release, „the purchase price equals c. three years of what management’s estimated royalty payments to Piranha for upcoming titles would have been if the acquisition had not occurred.” After the acquisition, Piranha Bytes remains an independent developer (although under the entity Piranha Bytes GmbH), and they get to keep their creative freedom, but THQ Nordic will become their publisher. Their leadership will not see any changes: Michael Ruwe remains the CEO, and Bjorn Pankratz continues to be responsible for the games. It was expected to happen – Piranha Bytes’ publisher in the past was Deep Silver, who is also under THQ Nordic AB (the main company)…

The company had one more announced – they also revealed that they have signed a game from 4A Games, the makers of the Metro games. It will be an „upcoming, still undisclosed, AAA project.” THQ Nordic AB also added that within the entire company structure (THQ Nordic GmbH, Deep Silver, Coffee Stain Studios), 80 games are in development, and 48 (!!!) of them are unannounced. 48? Wow. Two of these will be revealed at the E3.

So the firm keeps growing – we should keep an eye on their acquisition spree. The last time we have seen such a fast-paced growth was possibly Electronic Arts in the 90s…

Source: Gematsu,