In a surprising twist amidst recent turmoil, 4A Games, the developer behind the beloved Metro video game franchise, will remain a part of the Embracer Group. This decision comes as Embracer undergoes a major restructuring, splitting itself into three separate entities: Asmodee Group (board games), Coffee Stain & Friends (free-to-play and AA games), and Middle-earth Enterprises & Friends (AAA games).
This reorganization follows a period of significant upheaval for Embracer, which saw the cancellation of numerous game projects and the layoff of thousands of employees. The recent separation of Saber Interactive from Embracer, orchestrated by Saber’s CEO Matthew Karch, added to the drama. Interestingly, 4A Games was initially considered for inclusion in the Saber buyout deal for $247 million, but ultimately the studio decided to stay with Embracer.
Embracer’s CEO, Lars Wingefors, expressed his satisfaction with the decision, stating, “We are satisfied with the conclusion of this transaction and very glad to see the great teams and assets of 4A Games and Zen Studios remain within Embracer. They will be important building blocks in our continued journey. 4A Games has currently two AAA titles under development that we eagerly await to announce.”
This news comes as a relief for fans of the Metro series, especially considering that 4A Games is currently working on two new AAA projects. One of these projects is a VR experience titled “Metro Awakening,” while the other is a mainline game set to further the franchise’s legacy. The decision to keep 4A Games within Embracer’s AAA division reinforces the importance of the studio and its popular franchise within the company’s future plans. It also demonstrates Embracer’s commitment to developing high-quality AAA experiences.
As Embracer moves forward with its restructured model, 4A Games stands as a key component of the ‘Middle-earth Enterprises & Friends’ division, highlighting the studio’s significance and the potential for exciting new Metro titles to be developed in the future.
