Borderlands studio Gearbox reportedly to be sold by owners Embracer

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Borderlands maker Gearbox Entertainment is on the verge of joining Saber Interactive in being bought out of the sinking ship that is the Embracer Group, a new Kotaku report claims. It's stated that CEO Randy Pitchford shared the news with employees during a town hall meeting earlier this week, with more information coming in March. The site «understands that the decision was made to sell, and a deal is in the late stages of being finalized».

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A new rumor has emerged that Embracer is close to selling Gearbox Software.

Saber Interactive is reportedly splitting from the Embracer Group and going private in a $500 million deal, but Gearbox Entertainment allegedly isn’t too far behind. After Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier hinted at the same, Kotaku reported that the developer is also set to be sold, with the deal in the “late stages” of finalization.

Embracer Group gobbled up a lot of studios during its 2020-era spending spree, but perhaps the biggest acquisitions were Saber Interactive (World War Z, many, many ports) and Gearbox Software (Borderlands). It’s clear Embracer had big plans for Saber and Gearbox, as both were spun into entire company divisions with other smaller studios reporting to them, but those plans have changed – Embracer’s fortunes took a turn when a $2 billion investment from Saudi Arabia fell through and the company has been desperately cutting costs since. Apparently, this means two of their crown jewels have to go.

Gearbox Software, the studio behind the popular Borderlands series, could be leaving its parent company soon according to an established insider. Embracer Group acquired the Borderlands developer back in 2021.

Following reports last year that Embracer Group was considering selling Borderlands studio Gearbox as part of its ongoing «comprehensive restructuring programme», it's now being claimed a sale to a third party is in the «late stages» of being finalised.

Gearbox Entertainment was one of the companies Embracer purchased during its massive buying spree that was followed by widespread layoffs and studio closures. As reported by Kotaku, the Borderlands maker is poised to be sold out, and more information will be shared next month.