THQ Nordic Acquires New Studios; New Saints Row in Development; Dead Island 2 Changes Studio

THQ Nordic is gearing up for the publication of its latest financial results. The opportunity for the Austrian publisher is to discuss its latest moves in the industry, and to say that the company wants to continue its rise in the video game hierarchy. To tell the truth, there is so much information that we do not really know where to start.

Perhaps by what is already in place, like Volition which remains on a heavy failure with the very average Agents of Mayhem. Already mentioned before the E3 2019, the American studio committed all its forces on the “deep development” of a new Saints Row game. We also learn that the Fishlabs Germans, who took charge of Saints Row: The Third’s Switch port, are now working on a brand new license.

But it is especially on the side of acquisitions that THQ Nordic has which is the talk of the moment. The least surprising is obviously that of Gunfire Games since the studio founded by former members of Vigil Games was already working for the publisher including the development of Darksiders 3. The big blow, on the other hand, is on the side with the acquisition of the very prolific Milestone studio. The future productions of these developers will be found in the catalog of THQ Nordic now, including the MotoGP franchises, MXGP, Monster Energy Supercross or Ride.

THQ Nordic also reports that it has acquired the investment group of Goodbye Kansas, which works with small studios of Palindrome Interactive, Fall Damage and Neon Giant, the Australians from Kavalri, and the Danes from Framebunker.

We end with forgotten studios who have finally given some news. Dead Island 2 changes hands a second time since, after having begun its development at Yager, it is now Sumo Digital that leaves its place to the British Dambuster Studios (Homefront the Revolution). It is hoped that this umpteenth change will finally allow the project to see the light. Ultimate (good) news is the arrival of Steve Ellis at THQ Nordic. The co-creator of TimeSplitters will be officially responsible to “plot the future course” of the franchise.

We are now waiting to see how THQ Nordic will concretize all this at Gamescom 2019, which will begin in Cologne on August 20th. The Austrian publisher will also be present during the Opening Night Live organized on Monday, August 19.