Deus Ex and TimeSplitters games have been teased once more as Embracer Group undergoes further restructuring. After cancelling new entries in both franchises, the Swedish conglomerate now says it is looking to capitalise on them through third-party partnerships.
Embracer's Restructuring Plan
Embracer Group is splitting itself in two, creating Fellowship Entertainment to oversee its core AAA intellectual properties, such as Tomb Raider and The Lord of the Rings. However, the company's track record with these franchises has been mixed, with only remasters and the poorly received Gollum game to show.
Executive chair Lars Wingefors stated that apart from the largest IPs, Embracer will more actively explore external partnerships around its other well-known franchises. These include Deus Ex, TimeSplitters, Saints Row, Legacy of Kain, Red Faction, and Thief.
Skepticism Over Embracer's Commitment
Many remain skeptical given Embracer's history. The company has cancelled numerous projects, including a new Deus Ex game, a Legacy of Kain reboot, and a TimeSplitters revival. The latter was particularly painful as Embracer had resurrected original developer Free Radical Design specifically for the project, only to shut the studio down before completion.
Original developers for some franchises are no longer in a position to helm them. Eidos-Montréal, the Deus Ex developer, has been reduced to a support studio after layoffs and project cancellations. Volition, the Saints Row and Red Faction developer, was closed after the poor reception of the 2022 Saints Row reboot.
Embracer's reputation has suffered due to accusations of mismanagement. This is not the first time the company has restructured; two years ago, it split into three standalone companies, one of which was Middle-Earth & Friends, later renamed Fellowship Entertainment, which is now being spun off again.
For now, fans of these beloved franchises can only wait and see if Embracer's latest promises lead to actual games or further disappointment.
