Embracer Group to License Out Major Game Franchises, Including Deus Ex and Saints Row, to External Studios
Breaking: Embracer Group Opens Door for New Deus Ex, Saints Row, and TimeSplitters Games
Embracer Group is preparing to license out several of its most prized game franchises—including Deus Ex, Saints Row, TimeSplitters, and Thief—to external studios, the company announced today. The move signals a potential wave of new entries in these classic series, developed by partners outside Embracer's direct control.
"We are forming a new IP and licensing business to more actively explore licensing out our well-known series to external partners," said an Embracer Group spokesperson. "This could pave the way for new games in beloved franchises." The announcement comes fresh off Embracer's latest corporate restructuring, which saw the company split into multiple distinct entities.
Background
Embracer Group, one of the largest gaming holding companies in the world, has a history of acquiring and consolidating major studios and IPs. In recent months, the company has undergone a significant reorganization, breaking itself into several separate companies rather than operating as a single entity—a move it has executed before.
As part of this new structure, Embracer has created a dedicated IP and licensing business unit. The unit's mandate is to actively seek external partners interested in developing games based on Embracer's catalog, which includes titles from franchises like Deus Ex, Saints Row, TimeSplitters, and Thief. These series have been largely dormant or underutilized under Embracer's ownership.
What This Means
For fans, this announcement offers hope that long-dormant franchises could see new life. Licensing to external partners could attract developers with fresh ideas and specialized expertise, potentially leading to higher-quality revivals than internal Embracer teams might deliver.
However, the strategy also carries risks. External studios may not capture the original spirit of the games, and licensing deals can sometimes lead to rushed or poorly received entries. Embracer's track record with Saints Row—the 2022 reboot faced mixed reviews—highlights the challenges of reviving beloved IPs.
Industry analysts view the move as a pragmatic shift. "Embracer is monetizing its deep IP library without incurring the full development risk," said games industry analyst Michael Pachter. "By licensing to external partners, they can generate revenue from multiple projects simultaneously while focusing their internal studios on other priorities."
The licensing business is expected to start actively approaching potential partners in the coming months, with first announcements possible within the year. For now, the gaming community watches closely to see which studios might pick up the torch for Deus Ex, Saints Row, TimeSplitters, and Thief.