THQ Nordic wants to acquire game studio Piranha Bytes

THQ Nordic wants to acquire game studio Piranha Bytes. Piranha Bytes is known for games such as Gothic, Risen and Elex. THQ Nordic will also take over the rights to these games. Piranha Bytes will continue to work on its existing projects unchanged.

THQ Nordic announced the acquisition on Wednesday, stating that it is still subject to approval by undisclosed ‘committees’ of Piranha Bytes. The company has acquired the employees and the rights to the games from Piranha Bytes. The studio will continue its work in making RPGs, with what it says is “complete creative freedom”. THQ Nordic will act only as a publisher and will assist the studio with distribution, marketing and other needs.

The publisher indicates that it does not fire employees and does not want to change locations. The employees therefore continue to work at the same address under the same employment conditions, even with the same office equipment, including the coffee machine, the company jokes in its announcement.

About a sequel to Elex, the company gives a small hint. “Have a guess,” the company said in its press release. The company gives less information about a remake of Risen and Gothic; there would be nothing to say about that.

Piranha Bytes is known for the game series Risen and Gothic, but also for his most recent release Elex, a science fiction RPG that came out in 2017. THQ Nordic has been busy buying rights and studios lately. For example, the company took over the rights of Kingdoms of Amalur, Carmageddon and Timesplitters, among others. It also took over Warhorse Studios in February of this year for 33 million euros. Warhorse Studios is known for the RPG Kingdom Come: Deliverance.

Screenshot from Risen 2: Dark Waters