In 2017, THQ Nordic released an action role-playing game by Piranha Bytes, also known for Gothic and Risen, and most recently about the purchase of this famous German studio. Everything indicates that the company has planned a sequel. In the fresh the publisher also announced that 4A Games, the studio that created the Metro series, has already begun work on a new project.
Due to the postponement of the financial year, the past one was extended: it lasted 15 months (from January 2018 to March 2019). During this time, the company's net sales amounted to 5,75 billion Swedish kronor ($597 million). Operating profit rose to SEK 897 million ($93 million). In the last three months of this period, net sales increased by 158% (to SEK 1,63 billion or $169 million). Deep Silver, owned by THQ Nordic, accounted for SEK 794 million ($82 million) in net sales.
The main source of profit in the fifth quarter was the shooter , which fully recovered development and marketing costs, met sales forecasts and became the largest release in the company's history (exact data were not disclosed). THQ Nordic has already signed a new contract with 4A Games. The studio is working on an unannounced big-budget project, the details of which have not yet been disclosed. The shooter Satisfactory from Coffee Stain Studios, the author of Goat Simulator (an Epic Games Store exclusive), also brought in significant revenue.
In February, the company Czech Warhorse, which created the role-playing game and . Piranha Bytes was another important acquisition this year. All intellectual property, including Gothic and Risen, went to the buyer. The parties agreed on non-disclosure of the transaction amount, but it is noted that it is approximately equal to the amount of royalties for three years that the publisher would continue to pay to developers for new projects if the purchase did not take place. At the time of acquisition, the studio had 31 full-time employees.
Piranha Bytes will remain independent. THQ Nordic promises that the team will have complete creative freedom and will continue to create βoutstanding, uniqueβ RPGs. The publisher will handle distribution and marketing support for her projects. The heads of the German studio remain CEO Michael RΓΌve and head of development BjΓΆrn Pankratz.
βWe are very excited to join THQ Nordic, with whom we have a long and successful partnership,β said Ruwe. β The publishing house has unique experience and excellent opportunities for developing and publishing games. We are confident that it will become an ideal partner for our studio and will help it rise to the next level. "We have a great chance to continue making great, memorable, and industry-valuable role-playing games." Back in June last year Pankratz about the beginning of work on the new Gothic, and in an article with answers to frequently asked questions an unambiguous hint at the development of ELEX 2.
The total number of games in development across all THQ Nordic divisions is eighty, with 48 of them yet to be officially released. This year, the publisher will release the action role-playing game BioMutant, the tactical game Desperados 3, the adventure Shenmue III and the RPG Wasteland 3. The list of releases still includes Dead Island 2, which the publisher has not yet said anything about. In 2016, the development of a zombie action game was another studio, and in 2018 the rights to the series THQ Nordic along with other Koch Media assets.
Source: 3dnews.ru