Perfect World and Cryptic Studios have been sold to Embracer Group, which will operate independently under Gearbox

Swedish video game company Embracer Group, added Gearbox Software to its portfolio this early year, announced a series of acquisitions today. Among them is Perfect World Entertainment, which also owns Cryptic Studios. Perfect World and Cryptic Studios will remain independent studios but operate under Gearbox’s publishing division in the future.

In a press release announcing the acquisition, Embracer Group highlighted Cryptic Studios’ history as the developer of several successful MMORPGs, with the development of titles such as Never crowded, Online Champion, and Star Trek Online is a successful release that maintains a strong community. However, they also cited Perfect World’s losses after Cryptic had to cancel Magic: Legend and close the game this fall without ever getting out of beta and so there is a gap in the release schedule. It looks like the company saw an opportunity to acquire the company and go further, especially since the deal adds the MMORPG to Embracer’s first screen.

There are also some hints as to what we can expect in the next few years:

Cryptic Studios currently operates three long-standing MMOs (Never crowded, Star Trek Online and Online Champion) with an overall lifespan of more than 25 years. These titles generate substantial profits and Embracer expects live Cryptic titles to continue to grow strongly and steadily in the years to come. PWE Publishing has a fascinating list of upcoming games while continuing to evaluate new opportunities. Among existing vehicles, the next launch of PWE is scheduled for 2022 with five additional releases in 2024.

It’s time to start speculating what these 5 new titles over the next two years might be.

While the deal was announced today, it won’t be officially finalized until February. Embracer Corporation also today announced that it has acquired Dark Horse Comics, increasing its ownership of its IP including 300, Darksiders, Duke Nukem, Torchlight, Sin City, Saints Row, etc.