Metro Developer Acquired By Embracer Group, Working on Metro and 'New AAA IP'

The developer behind the Metro series is working on "the Metro franchise" and a "new AAA IP" after being acquired by THQ Nordic's holding company, Embracer Group for around $80 million USD. Embracer Group picked up 4A Games, its proprietary game engine and the Metro IP in the deal. The Ukraine-based company will now "operate as an independent studio under Saber Interactive," which Embracer also acquired this year. As for what's next for the studio in the wake of the acquisition, 4A Games CEO Dean Sharpe issued a statement: "Together we will continue to build on the Metro franchise and will focus on bringing a multiplayer experience to our fanbase." Sharpe also added that the team is looking forward "to building a new and even more ambitious AAA IP in the near future." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/02/13/metro-exodus-review"] 4A will be working with Saber collaboratively on "an entirely new project that combines the AAA production values of 4A games" and the "combined engine and technology know-how and Saber's experience on multiplayer and live operations." So it looks like 4A Games is working on two new projects right now, a new Metro project in collaboration with Saber Interactive that may feature multiplayer, and a new AAA IP. Not satisfied with just 4A Games, Embracer Group has also picked up Sola Media, Pow Wow Entertainment, Palindrome Interactive, Rare Earth Games, Deca Games, New World Interactive and Vermila Studios in its most recent acquisition spree. The release notes how this news marks an "important milestone" for the relationship between 4A Games and Deep Silver/Koch Media, the publishing arm of the Metro series which is also owned by Embracer Group. In other Embracer Group news, it was announced back in May of this year that the holding company has 69 unannounced games. We reviewed 4A Games' latest outing Metro Exodus in February 2019, scoring it an 8.5 and calling it "the best Metro game yet." [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jordan Oloman is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.

source https://www.ign.com/articles/4a-games-embracer-metro-sequel-multiplayer-new-game