Embracer Group has just gone on quite the spending spree. Only four months after it acquired eight new game studios, including3D Realms and Ghost Ship Games, the holding company recently bought out two more: Perfect World Entertainment and Shiver Entertainment. But it wasn’t just that; the group also now owns animation studio DIGIC, German video-on-demand service Spotfilm Networx, andDark Horse Comics.
In a statement on its official website, Embracer Group explains that the acquisition of Dark Horse will strengthen the company’s transmedia capabilities by adding expertise in comics publishing and film and TV production. While Dark Horse is arguably best known for its various comic book series, it does have a film and TV division as well, having produced multiple original projects and ones based on Dark Horse IPs, such as the 90sThe Maskanimated series andThe Umbrella Academyfor Netflix.
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Dark Horse has over 300 IPs at its disposal and, with Embracer Group in possession of multiple game development studios, there is obvious intention to create new video games based on these IPs as well. Some of Dark Horse’s best-known works include Frank Miller’sSin Cityand theHellboyseries, the latter of which fans would say has long overdue been owed a new video game since 2008’sHellboy: The Science of Eviland his special guest appearance in the DC Comics fighting gameInjustice 2.
Earlier this year,Dark Horseannounced that it was establishing its own gaming division, with the intention to partner with other studios to make new titles, as well as set up internal studios. It’s unclear if its acquisition by Embracer Group as/will affect any of Dark Horse’s plans. At the very least, it’s probably safe to assume that Embracer Group’s own game studios will eventually work on games based on Dark Horse properties.
Among Embracer Group’s studios, it owns THQ Nordic, Saber Interactive, Gearbox Entertainment, and Koch Media, plus all their subsidiaries. This also opens up the possibility of Dark Horse getting the rights to make comics for the various gaming franchises under Embracer Group’s ownership. The list includesBorderlands,Darksiders, andSaints Row. Dark Horse certainly has experience adapting video game franchises into comic books. In the past, it’s created tie-in books forTomb RaiderandOverwatch, andThe Witcher.
At this point in time, it’s far too early to tell what sort of projects will come about from this acquisition. Although if Dark Horse’s comments from when it announced its gaming division back in June are anything to go by, fans may see the first of these potential gaming projects some time in 2022.
