It came as a shock to gamers all over the world last month when rumors started spreading that Gearbox Software may be up for sale. The company that has brought us some of the most successful and beloved franchises in gaming, including Borderlands and Brothers in Arms, may soon have new owners. The reports have been circulating after Randy Pitchford, CEO of Gearbox, announced that the company is exploring potential mergers and acquisitions. But what does this mean for the future of the studio, its popular franchises, and the gaming industry? Here’s what we know so far.
Gearbox Software has been an influential force in the gaming industry since its inception in 1999. The company has produced several successful franchises, including the Borderlands series, which has won multiple industry awards and sold over 66 million copies worldwide. Brothers in Arms, Battleborn, and Duke Nukem Forever are also notable franchises that have put Gearbox on the map.
In a recent interview with Kotaku, Pitchford explained that Gearbox is currently exploring potential mergers and acquisitions because it believes the studio has reached a point where it needs to “grow and expand into new areas.” Pitchford went on to say that “there are a lot of potential partners out there,” and that Gearbox is looking for the right deal.
While there is no official word on which companies may be interested in buying Gearbox, there are several potential candidates. Microsoft, which has been on an acquisition spree recently, could be a contender. With its recent acquisition of Bethesda, Microsoft now has some of the industry’s biggest franchises under its umbrella, including Fallout, The Elder Scrolls, Doom, and more. Adding Gearbox’s franchises to its portfolio would be a significant move for the company.
Another potential buyer is Embracer Group, the parent company of THQ Nordic and Saber Interactive. The company has been on a buying spree recently, acquiring several studios and franchises, including Koch Media, which owns the Saints Row franchise. Embracer Group’s CEO Lars Wingefors has been vocal about his company’s plan to become a major player in the gaming industry. Acquiring Gearbox would help them move one step closer to that goal.
On the other hand, Gearbox could also prove to be a valuable acquisition for a publisher like Electronic Arts or Activision Blizzard. Both of these companies have a history of acquiring successful studios and franchises, such as Respawn Entertainment and Titanfall (EA) and King and Candy Crush (Activision Blizzard). With Borderlands being one of the industry’s most successful franchises, owning Gearbox would be a huge win for either of these companies.
Regardless of who ultimately acquires Gearbox, the studio’s fans are understandably nervous about the future of their favorite franchises. With Gearbox’s CEO himself admitting that the company is looking to expand into new areas, there’s a fear that the studio’s new ownership may prioritize profits over creativity and innovation. Fans of the studio’s work are hoping that the company will continue to prioritize the creative expression that has made Gearbox so successful and beloved.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the future of Gearbox Software is somewhat uncertain at this point. We don’t know which company will acquire the studio, or how that will impact the future of Gearbox’s franchises. But regardless of who becomes the new owner of the studio, it’s clear that Gearbox has left an indelible mark on the gaming industry. Its success with the Borderlands franchise has helped inspire the looter-shooter genre, and its work on other franchises has been influential as well. We can only hope that the company’s new owners will recognize the value of the studio’s creative vision and continue to build on the legacy that Gearbox has created.
