May 02, 06:00


Kotaku Monday, May 2, 2022 2:40 AM
    

The Embracer Group, a planet-swallowing mass of video game publishers that already includes the likes of Gearbox and THQ Nordic, tonight announced a deal to purchase a number of storied studios and properties from Square Enix.

Read more...


Twinfinite Monday, May 2, 2022 4:30 AM
     Eidos Montreal studio head David Anfossi outlined the current development slate of the studio following the acquisition by Embracer.

Twinfinite Monday, May 2, 2022 2:49 AM
     Embracer Group has been acquiring a lot of studios as of late, but today it announced the purchase of Square Enix's western developers.

Twinfinite Monday, May 2, 2022 1:31 AM
     If the daily trailers weren't enough, today Atlus released a sizable gallery of screenshots and details of its upcoming JRPG Soul Hackers 2.

Twinfinite Sunday, May 1, 2022 11:08 PM
     Today Atlus released the usual daily trailer for its upcoming JRPG Soul Hackers 2, showing one of its demons.

Siliconera Monday, May 2, 2022 5:30 AM
    

Embracer Group

Sweden-based publisher Embracer Group has acquired Eidos from Square Enix. More specifically, it has agreed to buy Crystal Dynamics, Eidos-Montréal, and Square Enix Montréal. The three studios were known as part of Square Enix's collection of overseas studios and worked on series associated with the former Eidos Interactive brand. By the standards of recent major acquisitions in the game industry, the asking price was low: About USD 300 million [Thanks, Cision].

Formerly known as THQ Nordic, Embracer Group is one of the gaming industry's biggest holding companies. In recent years, it's grown its umbrella even more through several acquisition sprees. In 2021, it picked up Borderlands and Godfall developer/publisher Gearbox Software for USD 1.3 billion. By the end of the same year, it had made no less than thirty-seven acquisitions, with plans to complete up to thirty-five more. Its current portfolio includes many well-known gaming brands like Koch Media, Aspyr, 3D Realms, and Slipgate Ironworks. The Embracer x Eidos deal puts the company in ultimate charge of the Tomb Raider, Deus Ex, Thief, and Legacy of Kain series. Crystal Dynamics was also known to be working with Microsoft on a reboot of Xbox shooter Perfect Dark and a new Tomb Raider game. It and Eidos-Montréal also developed the Marvel's Avengers and Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy games, respectively. The announcement makes no mention of whether the Marvel-branded titles will continue under Embracer or Square Enix.

For its part, Square Enix stated in its own press release that the transaction would enable it to "launch new businesses" and move forward with planned investments in fields "including blockchain, AI, and the cloud." Square Enix President Yosuke Matsuda previously spoke positively about NFTs and blockchain-based gaming in his 2022 New Year's Letter. Though the acquisition of Eidos by Embracer Group represents a spinoff of Square Enix's largest "western" studios, Square Enix will continue publication of overseas-developed franchises like Just Cause, Outriders, and Life is Strange.

The post Embracer Group Buys Eidos from Square Enix for USD 300M appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Monday, May 2, 2022 5:00 AM
    

Blue Archive Bunny

It's a little late to celebrate Easter, but not too late to commemorate the half-year anniversary of Blue Archive. Nexon is launching the fifth Blue Archive event of 2022, "Bunny Chasers on Board," on May 3, 2022. To celebrate six months in operation for the English version of the game, the event will add new playable characters to the roster, and they'll be dressed in bunny outfits.

Nexon uploaded a teaser trailer for the Blue Archive Bunny Event, as well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWF-ak0FlCQ

The Blue Archive Bunny Chasers on Board event story focuses on the members of Clean & Clear, the covert operations squad of Kivotos' Millenium Science School. C&C consists of students Karin, Asuna, Akane, and Neru. The members typically go undercover as Millenium's maid club, which means they typically dress in maid cosplay while quietly excising threats to the academy and city.

This time, C&C is after "White Bunny," a notorious troublemaker based in Millenium. The pursuit leads them to a casino cruise ship belonging to another academy. When the ship launches with them trapped aboard, they must trade their maid wear for bunny suits, infiltrating the casino staff while they hunt down White Bunny.

Bunny Chasers on Board also expands the Blue Archive playable roster by three, with bunny-suited versions of Karin, Neru, and Asuna on the banner. Unlike regular Karin, Bunny Karin is a Striker character, using her sniper rifle like a shotgun to inflict wide-range Mystic damage. Bunny Asuna is a 3-Star upgrade from regular Asuna, with new damage-dealing attacks that sap enemy defense. Bunny Neru has learned to channel regular Neru's rage into endurance and is able to activate a defensive shield and greatly boost her evasion, making her into a potent tank character.

Blue Archive is available on Android and iOS. The Bunny Chasers on Board event begins on May 3, 2022. Players can "pre-register" for the event to receive a gift of premium currency.

The post Blue Archive Bunny Event Launches on May 3, 2022 appeared first on Siliconera.


Destructoid Monday, May 2, 2022 4:00 AM
    

Major acquisition deal struck with Square Enix The bottomless pit of cash that is the Embracer Group has gone on...

The post Embracer Group to acquire Crystal Dynamics, Eidos Montreal, and Square Enix Montreal appeared first on Destructoid.


Pivotal Gamers Monday, May 2, 2022 4:46 AM
     What's up all? Giveaway Of The Day holds a new giveaway for Temple Run. This is what they say. Temple Run is available as a Giveaway of the day!You have limited time to download, install and register it. A few words about Temple Run There is a boulder rolling at you from who knows where and you're stuck on a long platform, what do you do?…RUN! jump over lava pits and circular saw...

Pivotal Gamers Monday, May 2, 2022 4:18 AM
     Hello folks. We have another great giveaway from Giveaway Of The Day for Lords Mobile. Their message follows. Lords Mobile is available as a Giveaway of the day!You have limited time to download, install and register it. A few words about Lords Mobile The program archive includes the readme file with the further instructions! Last minute notes Login with your Facebook or email account to get your ...