Update another Embracer shutdown NWI. Also Embracer CEO confirms TimeSplitters studio faces closure before Christmas

[Gamernyc78]

Publisher confirms TimeSplitters studio faces closure before Christmas | VGC

Free Radical Design staff are currently in a consultation process…

www.videogameschronicle.com

Although Embracer has yet to publicly confirm Free Radical’s position, sources told VGC that Wingefors has now acknowledged in a company email that the Nottingham, UK-based company could be closed on December 11, following the completion of a consultation process.

“As we move through the consultation process and face the potential closure of Free Radical Design on 11 December 2023, I want to express my gratitude for your commitment and the remarkable work you’ve done and still keep doing,” he wrote.

“This is a challenging time for all of us but especially for you, and our focus is to support you as much as we can during this transition.”

There remains a possibility that the studio could remain open then, should Embracer receive interest from third parties interested in acquiring it.

Update Dec 5th, 2023​

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Insider Gaming] Insurgency Developer New World Interactive Shut Down by Embracer Group​

Insurgency Developer New World Interactive Shut Down By Embracer Group

New World Interactive, the studio behind games Insurgency and Insurgency: Sandstorm, has been shut down by Embracer Group

insider-gaming.com

New World Interactive, the studio behind games Insurgency and Insurgency: Sandstorm, has been shut down by Embracer Group as part of the company’s self-described “restructuring”.

The news was first reported by Second Wind’s Nick Calandra and shortly confirmed to Insider Gaming by multiple sources. The announcement was made to employees on Monday morning.

Founded in 2010, New World Interactive’s first game, Insurgency, released in 2014. The studio put out two more titles – Day of Infamy and Insurgency: Sandstorm — before being acquired by Embracer Group in August 2020.

The studio had multiple new games in development as of 2023, but none had been revealed. At last check, Insurgency: Sandstorm was averaging nearly 4,000 players per day on Steam over the last three months, six years after its release.

Embracer Group has yet to respond to comment on the closure of New World Interactive or respond to requests from Insider Gaming.

Recently, Embracer confirmed that Free Radical Design was at risk of closure while also laying off employees at multiple other studios. There have also been talks of selling Borderlands developer Gearbox Entertainment.

 

[Danja]

Dang Free Radical can't ever catch a break since Haze... Hate what's happening in the industry currently.

 

[Bryank75]

I loved Timesplitters...

Remember it was in Shaun of the Dead... so epic. Someone needs to save them!!

 

[Gamernyc78]

Insurgency Developer New World Interactive Shut Down By Embracer Group

New World Interactive, the studio behind games Insurgency and Insurgency: Sandstorm, has been shut down by Embracer Group

insider-gaming.com

New World Interactive, the studio behind games Insurgency and Insurgency: Sandstorm, has been shut down by Embracer Group as part of the company’s self-described “restructuring”.

The news was first reported by Second Wind’s Nick Calandra and shortly confirmed to Insider Gaming by multiple sources. The announcement was made to employees on Monday morning.

Founded in 2010, New World Interactive’s first game, Insurgency, released in 2014. The studio put out two more titles – Day of Infamy and Insurgency: Sandstorm — before being acquired by Embracer Group in August 2020.

The studio had multiple new games in development as of 2023, but none had been revealed. At last check, Insurgency: Sandstorm was averaging nearly 4,000 players per day on Steam over the last three months, six years after its release.

Embracer Group has yet to respond to comment on the closure of New World Interactive or respond to requests from Insider Gaming.

Recently, Embracer confirmed that Free Radical Design was at risk of closure while also laying off employees at multiple other studios. There have also been talks of selling Borderlands developer Gearbox Entertainment.

 

[BigMclargeHuge]

I loved future perfect. I'd buy it in a heartbeat if they released a "remastered" version on ps5. Embracer has turned into such a shit show.

 

[Gamernyc78]

I loved future perfect. I'd buy it in a heartbeat if they released a "remastered" version on ps5. Embracer has turned into such a shit show.

Yeah they are all over the place with layoffs and shutdowns. Seems like one is occurring every week nowadays.

 

[ethomaz]

Will Embracer survive?

 

[Gamernyc78]

Will Embracer survive?

They own over 75 internal studios or did at one point so they'll survive but look different with all these closures.