Sweden-based Embracer Group agrees to acquire Perfect World Entertainment, maker of Star Trek Online – Daily Star Trek News
DECEMBER 21, 2021 – Pay attention, Star Trek Online player! Sweden-based Embracer Group, the parent company of several groups including Gearbox Entertainment, has acquired Perfect World Entertainment (PWE) for a deal worth $ 125 million. The message was made on Tuesday morning and the sale is expected to end in February 2022.
PWE is a video game developer and publisher for PC and consoles, including PWE Publishing and Cryptic Studios, of which the latter is a developer of Star Trek Online, the long-running officially licensed massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG). Cryptic Studios is currently running three long-running MMOs (Never winter, Champions Online and Star Trek Online) with a shared life of more than 25 years. While PWE suffered operating losses in 2021 due to Cryptics’ planned MMO being canceled Magic: Legends and a gap in PWE Publishing’s release schedule, Embracer is convinced of its value in part because of its MMO capabilities and new IP capabilities.
Under Embracer, PWE (including Cryptic Studios) will continue to operate independently as a subsidiary of Gearbox Entertainment. Gearbox founder Randy Pitchford said of the acquisition: “It is an honor for us to welcome this talented group of individuals to the Gearbox Entertainment family. Gearbox will invest in Cryptic’s future as an independent, dynamic studio passionate about MMOs. This commitment is ready with an exciting new partnership that will emerge when the talented publishing team for Perfect World and their promising range of future games will be supported and strengthened by the ability and strength of the Gearbox Publishing team. ”
For more information on the impact the acquisition may have Star Trek Online, visit Star Trek Online forum.