FTS: It's morphin time as Eidos Shanghai become Gearbox Studio Shanghai

GEARBOX ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCES NEW SHANGHAI STUDIO

The company’s first expansion into Asia brings in local talent to work on award-winning games portfolio

 

FRISCO, Texas – November 15, 2022 – Eidos Shanghai is now Gearbox Studio Shanghai, according to news released today by Gearbox Entertainment. This will be Gearbox’s first expansion into Asia—an important market in the company’s long-term growth strategy. Gigi Ning, who previously led Eidos Shanghai, will continue leading the studio as General Manager and report into Gearbox Publishing San Francisco.

 

Gearbox Studio Shanghai brings years of local experience to the Gearbox family, with the team supporting numerous AAA franchises since their original inception in 2008. This experience, alongside a proven track record of hyper-localized marketing efforts, puts Gearbox Studio Shanghai in a strong position to provide immediate and meaningful support to multiple titles across the Gearbox portfolio.

“China is a hotbed of industry talent, and I’m confident Gearbox Studio Shanghai will be instrumental in our vision for international growth here at Gearbox,” said Yoon Im, president of Gearbox Publishing San Francisco. “With this addition, we greatly enhance our ability to engage with players in the Chinese market and work directly with local up-and-coming development studios.”

 

The team at Gearbox Studio Shanghai will join in Gearbox’s mission to entertain the world. Like all Gearbox team members, the employees in the new Shanghai studio will experience a dedication to creating an anti-crunch culture and competitive benefits.

“Bringing Gearbox’s vision and creative spirit to our local community is a goal we’re ready to take on,” said Gigi Ning, general manager of Gearbox Studio Shanghai. “Gearbox has so many fantastic stories to tell, and we’re excited to share those with the players here in China.” 

Support us below!

FTS: Gearbox Entertainment X Embracer Group

Embracer Group and The Gearbox Entertainment Company Successfully Complete Merger

 

FRISCO, Texas (April 6, 2021) – The Gearbox Entertainment Company and Embracer Group announced today that they successfully closed on their up to $1.3 billion merger agreement. Embracer and Gearbox announced in February of 2021 their intention to merge. With this, Gearbox Entertainment is the seventh operating group in the Karlstad, Sweden-headquartered Embracer Group, which has an extensive catalog of more than 240 franchises and more than 7,000 employees around the world. The merger fuels positions Gearbox for rapid growth with its robust IP catalog, AAA development studios, and North American publishing capabilities. 

 

“Our team is incredibly excited about the opportunity we now have,” said Randy Pitchford, founder of The Gearbox Entertainment Company. “Far from riding off into the sunset, we are now positioned to launch new IP, do more with our existing brands, grow our base of incredibly talented team members, and capitalize on new opportunities in our mission to entertain the world. This just the start."

 

With its 550 team members in Frisco, Texas, and Quebec City, Gearbox Entertainment is best known for its critically and commercially successful Borderlands and Brothers in Arms franchises and the development of award-winning, best-selling games in the Half-Life, Counter-Strike, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, 007 James Bond, and Halo franchises.   

 

“This was the largest merger that Embracer has undertaken. I am grateful to Randy and his entire team for their enthusiasm, creativity, and vision, says Lars Wingefors, founder and CEO of Embracer Group. "We are confident in Gearbox's long-term future within Embracer Group."

 

Juno Capital Partners and Union Square Advisors LLC acted as M&A and financial advisors to Gearbox on this transaction and Fenwick & West acted as legal counsel.

 

About The Gearbox Entertainment Company

The Gearbox Entertainment Company, LLC is an award-winning, independent creator and distributor of transmedia entertainment for people around the world. Gearbox Entertainment develops and publishes products through its subsidiaries, Gearbox Software and Gearbox Publishing. Gearbox Entertainment has become widely known for successful game franchises including Brothers in Arms and Borderlands, as well as acquired properties Duke Nukem and Homeworld, which it distributes across the world. Gearbox Software is an award-winning, independent developer of interactive entertainment based in Frisco, Texas. It was founded in 1999 by game industry veterans, and its first release was Half-Life: Opposing Force. Gearbox Publishing was established in 2016 with the goal of helping developers around the world bring their products to market while retaining their unique creative visions. More information can be found at www.GearboxSoftware.com.

- D. Hewitt

This is the first time I've ever heard of Embracer, but it's behind a lot of recognizable games. I like games in their catalog but some completely sucked, so I hope this is good news for Gearbox and not the deathblow. We know how big wigs can affect games, but if they increase or maintain quality then this will pay off.

Support us below!