Frequently Asked Questions
The most-asked questions about embracer group franchises.
What is Embracer Group?
Embracer Group is a Swedish video game holding company headquartered in Stockholm that owns and operates well over 100 game development and publishing studios across multiple continents. Rather than building games in-house, it functions as a parent company that acquires studios, their IP, and then provides publishing and infrastructure support.
What was Embracer Group called before it got its current name?
The company operated under the THQ Nordic name in its early years, rebranded to King Group AB in 2021 following its acquisition of the mobile-game publisher King.com, and then adopted the Embracer Group identity in 2022.
Who leads Embracer Group?
Swedish investor Mattias Lilja serves as CEO and is the principal architect of the company's aggressive roll-up strategy, having guided its growth from a single publishing label into one of the world's largest game-holding portfolios.
Which franchises are most associated with Embracer Group?
The most widely recognized names include Saints Row and Red Faction (developed by Volition), Duke Nukem and Shadow Warrior (from 3D Realms), and the Darksiders series (inherited from the former THQ library). Together they span satirical open-world action, first-person shooters, and dark-fantasy hack-and-slash.
What is Deep Silver and how does it fit into Embracer?
Deep Silver is a game-publishing label that originally belonged to the Austrian Koch Media group before coming under Embracer's umbrella. It acts as a publishing and marketing arm for a number of studios within the broader Embracer portfolio.
What is the connection between Embracer Group and the original THQ?
The American publisher THQ filed for bankruptcy in 2013, and its game library and brand were later acquired by the Swedish company that would become Embracer Group. This acquisition preserved long-running IPs like Darksiders and Saints Row from disappearing, though the two companies were never the same legal entity.
How large is Embracer Group's studio portfolio?
The company oversees more than 100 development and publishing studios spread across North America, Europe, and Asia, making it one of the most extensive video-game holding structures in the industry.
Where should a newcomer start exploring Embracer franchises?
For open-world action with a comedic edge, Saints Row is the most accessible entry point; for fast-paced first-person shooters, Red Faction or Shadow Warrior are strong picks; and for dark-fantasy melee combat, Darksiders offers a self-contained, story-driven experience.
How does Embracer Group make money?
Its core model is acquisition-driven: the company buys studios and publishing labels, injects capital and shared back-office services, and earns revenue through the games those studios ship. Creative direction is largely left to each studio, while Embracer handles publishing, distribution, and financial backing.
What are some of Embracer Group's most notable studio acquisitions?
High-profile additions to the portfolio include Volition (Saints Row, Red Faction), 3D Realms (Duke Nukem, Shadow Warrior), and Saber Interactive, each bringing established franchises and experienced development teams into the Embracer fold.