The THQ revival is complete!
Five years after the publisher closed its doors, liquidated its IP, ceased business operations and sold off the rights to its name, THQ Nordic reemerged as one of the industry’s biggest publishing houses. And the company’s surprise acquisition of Koch Media, parent company to Deep Silver, brings a number of former THQ properties (like Saints Row) back under the company’s control.
According to GamesIndustry.biz, the deal is worth a cool €121 Million (~$149.6 million) and is expected to be finalized Wednesday. This includes all of Koch Media’s businesses, including its film studios, but Deep Silver is soaking up most of the attention because it had purchased a number of THQ franchises in 2013. THQ Nordic and Koch Media will continue to operate as separate entities but the former will send additional staff to assist with some of the latter’s biggest video game IP. Koch Media CEO Dr. Klemens Kundratitz will remain with the company and receive THQ Nordic shares as part of the acquisition.
The deal gives THQ Nordic control of an impressive catalog, particularly for a studio few gamers had even heard of when it bought THQ’s remains in 2013. Ironically, the Homefront franchise had the longest road back home. The series was acquired by Crytek, the folks behind Crysis and Cry Engine, before it was eventually sold to Deep Silver to address cashflow troubles. Deep Silver also purchased several other THQ properties during the bankruptcy proceedings, which means THQ Nordic will once again have its hands in Metro, Red Faction and Saints Row. It also plugs the company into other major franchises like Dead Island and Shenmue. 2K Sports has no incentive to sell WWE’s video game rights back to THQ Nordic. So we probably aren’t getting a Smackdown revival anytime soon. But most of THQ’s other big names, including smaller franchises like MX vs. ATV, are back under the same roof for the first time in years. And it sounds like THQ Nordic plans to make good use of its newly-expanded catalog.
“THQ Nordic is convinced that the development studios of Deep Silver as part of THQ Nordic will successfully deliver at least four ongoing AAA game projects including Metro Exodus as well as the next Volition Studio AAA release and the next Dambuster Studio AAA release, together with a number of other game development and publishing titles.” THQ Nordic CEO Lars Wingefors said in a press release.
