News & Media

Announcement from Embracer Group’s extra general meeting

The extra general meeting of Embracer Group AB (“Embracer” or the “Company”) was held today on 7 January 2022, and the following resolutions were passed by the meeting. 

Five announced acquisitions are estimated to contribute SEK 246-316 million in operational EBIT during FY22/23 and SEK 519-689 million during FY23/24

Embracer Group AB (“Embracer”) and its subsidiaries have as previously communicated on 21 December 2021 entered into five acquisition agreements (the “Transactions”). The Transactions improve the group's capabilities within game publishing and development, work-for-hire, comics publishing, film & TV production. The acquired businesses are expected to contribute to operational EBIT in the range of SEK 246-316 million during FY 22/23 and SEK 519-689 during FY 23/24. These figures exclude any commercial synergies or planned M&A.

Embracer Group enters into an agreement to acquire Dark Horse and forms the tenth operative group

Embracer Group AB ("Embracer") has today entered into an agreement to acquire Dark Horse Media, LLC (“Dark Horse”), a leading entertainment company. Post-closing, Dark Horse will become the tenth operative group of the Embracer group. Through the acquisition, Embracer strengthens its transmedia capabilities by adding expertise in content development, comics publishing, and film & TV production. Dark Horse owns or controls more than 300 intellectual properties, many of which are attractive for future transmedia exploitation, including the creation of new video games. Dark Horse founder and CEO Mike Richardson will continue to lead the company together with existing management.

Invitation to Embracer Group’s presentation on acquisitions at 09:00 (CET)

Embracer Group hereby invites you to a presentation regarding this morning's press releases announcing a number of acquisitions. 

Embracer Group enters into agreement to aquire Spotfilm Networx

Embracer Group AB (”Embracer”), through its wholly owned subsidiary Koch Media GmbH, has acquired 100 percent of the shares in Spotfilm Networx GmbH (“Spotfilm Networx”) from its five current owners. Spotfilm Networx is the leading Advertising-based Video on Demand (AVOD) channel network in Germany, located in Berlin.

Embracer Group enters into agreement to acquire DIGIC

Embracer Group AB (”Embracer”), through its operative group Saber Interactive[1], has entered into an agreement to acquire 100 percent of the shares in Hungary based DIGIC Holdings Kft (“DIGIC”) from its current owners, including founder Alex Rabb. DIGIC is an animation studio founded by Alex Rabb and late Hollywood legend Andrew G. Vajna. Embracer adds a highly skilled team of close to 400 people through the acquisition, with a strong track record within commercial trailers and cinematics for best-selling game titles as well as animations for streaming media. The closing of the purchase is subject to various conditions including, without limitiation, approval of the transaction by lenders of DIGIC and of the Hungarian Ministry of Innovation and Technology.

[1] Acquired through Embracer's wholly owned subsidiary Embracer Group Lager 2 AB and will be part of the Saber Interactive operative group.

Embracer Group acquires Shiver Entertainment

Embracer Group AB (”Embracer”), through its wholly owned subsidiary Saber Interactive Inc., has acquired 100 percent of the shares in U.S based Shiver Entertainment Inc. (“Shiver”) from its founders. Shiver is a game development studio founded by industry veterans John Schappert and Jason Andersen. Through the acquisition, Saber Interactive adds a highly skilled team of nearly 20 people, focusing on game development, co-development, and porting projects across platforms and genres.

Embracer Group enters into agreement to acquire Perfect World Entertainment

Embracer Group AB (“Embracer”) has entered into an agreement to acquire 100 percent of the shares in Perfect World North America Corporation and Perfect World Publishing B.V. (collectively “Perfect World Entertainment” or “PWE”)[1], from Perfect World Europe B.V. (“Perfect World”). PWE is a video game developer and publisher for PC and consoles, including PWE Publishing and Cryptic Studios. The acquisition adds on a total of 237 employees. The purchase price for the acquisition comprises a one-time payout of USD 125 million, divided into of USD 60 million in cash and USD 65 million in B shares of Embracer subject to consideration adjustment at closing. The purchase price net of cash amounts to USD 103 million.

[1] Acquired through Embracer and will be part of the Gearbox Entertainment operative group.

NOTICE OF EXTRA GENERAL MEETING IN EMBRACER GROUP AB

The shareholders of Embracer Group AB, reg. no. 556582-6558, (the “Company”) are hereby invited to the extra general meeting on Friday 7 January 2022 at 10.00 CET at Baker McKenzie's premises at Vasagatan 7 in Stockholm.

Embracer Group successfully completed a directed issue of 69,000,000 new B shares raising proceeds of roughly SEK 6 billion

Embracer Group announces intention to carry out a directed share issue of approximately SEK 5.5 billion through new B shares

Invitation to Embracer Group’s presentation about the acquisition of Asmodee at 08:15 (CET)

Embracer Group hereby invites you to a presentation regarding today's press release headlined “Embracer Group intends to make a strategic acquisition of leading board gaming group Asmodee that would form the ninth operating group”.

Embracer Group intends to make a strategic acquisition of leading board gaming group Asmodee that would form the ninth operating group

INSIDE INFORMATION: Embracer Group AB ("Embracer"), has today entered into exclusive negotiations to acquire Financière Amuse Topco SAS (“Asmodee”) from funds advised or managed by PAI Partners SAS (“PAI”) and the other shareholders of Asmodee. Subject to completion of the consultation of the relevant works council of the Asmodee group on this proposed transaction, and exercise by the shareholders of Asmodee of their option to sell, Embracer and the shareholders of Asmodee would execute a share purchase agreement to complete the transaction. If the acquisition is eventually completed, it would mark a strategic step broadening the Embracer Group eco system, since Asmodee and Embracer share a natural and strong bond in their strategy and cultures.

Embracer Group publishes Interim Report Q2 2021: OPERATIONAL EBIT INCREASED 49% TO SEK 973 MILLION

SECOND QUARTER, JULY–SEPTEMBER 2021 (COMPARED TO JULY–SEPTEMBER 2020)

• Net sales increased by 38% to SEK 3,296.4 million (2,383.2).
• Net sales of the Games business area increased by 89% to SEK 2,831.1 million (1,495.4). THQ Nordic SEK 374.0 million (566.9), Koch Media Publishing SEK 584.7 million (506.8), Coffee Stain SEK 120.4 million (129.9), Saber Interactive SEK 462.9 million (259.1), DECA Games SEK 248.8 million (32.7), Gearbox Entertainment SEK 433.6 million (-) and Easybrain SEK 606.7 million (-).
• Net sales of Partner Publishing/Film business area amounted to SEK 465.3 million (887.8).
• EBITDA increased by 69% to SEK 1,640.0 million (969.0), corresponding to an EBITDA margin of 50% (41%). Remeasurement of participation in associated company Ghost Ship Games amounted to SEK 416.8 million in the quarter (and is included in reported EBITDA, but excluded from Operational EBIT).
• Operational EBIT increased by 49% to SEK 973.4 million (652.5) corresponding to an Operational EBIT margin of 30% (27%).
• Cash flow from operating activities amounted to SEK 1,024.0 million (804.7). Investments in intangible assets amounted to SEK 916.5 million (484.1). Free Cash Flow before change in working capital amounted to SEK 17.1 million (358.9).
• Adjusted earnings per share was SEK 0.65 (0.90). Adjusted EPS after exclusion of unrealized and realized fx gains/losses and discount interest effect on provisions was 0.81 (0.80).
• Organic growth in constant currency for the Games Business Area amounted to –9% in the quarter. Proforma growth in constant currency for the Games Business Area amounted to 11% in the quarter.
• Total game development projects increased 46% to 197 (135).
• Total headcount increased by 104% to 9,064 (4,445) and the total number of game developers increased by 108% to 7,470 (3,593). Organic growth for internal headcount in the Group was 25%.

Invitation to presentation of Embracer Group’s Q2 report

Embracer Group hereby invites you to a presentation in connection to the publication of the interim report for the second quarter, the period July-September 2021. The report will be published at 06.00 (CEST) on November 17th and available as of this time at: www.embracer.com.

Embracer Group acquires mobile game developer Jufeng Studio and eight mobile titles

Embracer Group AB (”Embracer”), through its wholly owned subsidiary DECA Games, has acquired Gaea’s mobile studio Jufeng and its six titles. Through the acquisition DECA Games gains access to a talent base in China, providing a foundation for further growth in the Asia Pacific Region.

DECA Games has also acquired two mobile titles, Hero Hunters and Killshot Bravo, from Hothead Games Inc. DECA Games’ internal studios in Europe will continue the live operations and development of these two titles.

In the quarter July to September 2021, the eight acquired titles in total had approximately 150,000 DAU and 800,000 MAU. Total gross revenues for the period was approximately SEK 50 million. Revenues will be included in Embracer’s accounting starting October 2021.

Share split in Embracer Group

On 16 September 2021, the annual general meeting in Embracer Group AB resolved on a share split 2:1 whereby an existing A share and an existing B share each will be split into two new shares respectively. The board of directors was also authorized by the annual general meeting to determine the record date for the split.

Embracer Group enters into an agreement to acquire Bytex

Embracer Group AB (”Embracer”), through its wholly owned subsidiary Saber Interactive (“Saber”)[1] , has entered into an agreement to acquire 100 percent of the shares in Bytex Limited Liability Company from its current owners. Bytex is a reputable Quality Assurance (“QA”) and Work for hire-developer studio based in Saransk, Russia. Through the acquisition, Saber adds capabilities by onboarding a skilled team of more than 240 employees. 

[1] Acquired through Embracer's wholly owned subsidiary Embracer Group Lager 2 AB and will be part of the Saber Interactive Group.

Announcement from Embracer Group’s annual general meeting

The annual general meeting 2021 (the "AGM") of Embracer Group AB ("Embracer" or the "Company") was held today on 16 September 2021 in Karlstad and the following resolutions were passed by the meeting.

Invitation to Embracer Group’s Annual General Meeting including selected deep dive information

You are hereby invited to the webcast in connection to the Embracer Group Annual General Meeting on September 16, 2021. At the webcast, the annual operations overview will be supplemented by selected deep dives sections and a presentation of Operating Group Gearbox Entertainment by CEO and founder Randy Pitchford and Chief Business Officer Sean Haran. Market insights will then be provided by market research firm Newzoo, a leading provider of games market data and insights.