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In a hype-loaded email today publisher Nordic Games announced that they expect to successfully purchased some of THQ’s largest IPs through the bankruptcy auction that has been in process since their closure. THQ and Nordic expect the review to be passed by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court on May 13, and the sale to be finalized shortly after. With Nordic in the picture we could see a complete re-imaging of the series, since a good portion of Vigil Games is now employed by Crytek in a newly formed Austin TX studio. Key other items from THQ will also join the Nordic catalog including: Titan Quest (YES!), MX vs. ATV, Red Faction and many others. Nordic will not rush in right away with new games, but will “closely investigate IP and specific financing models.” If you would like to share your thoughts on the future of these titles, or investigate Nordic they are recommending fans visit the forums HERE.
I’m sure more news will come as the sale moves forward, the press release is below!
Nordic Games Set to Acquire THQ Inc.’s Assets – Darksiders, Red Faction, MX vs. ATV, Titan Quest Among Others
Darksiders, Red Faction, MX vs. ATV, Titan Quest, Supreme Commander, Frontlines, Stuntman, Juiced, Full Spectrum Warrior, Destroy All Humans and much more will enrich the Nordic Games portfolio
Vienna, Austria (April 22nd 2013) – Nordic Games announced today that it was one of the successful bidders in THQ´s auction process, which ended on April 15. Subject to approval of the bankruptcy court overseeing THQ’s case, Nordic Games will acquire more than 150 SKUs for a purchasing price of USD 4.9 million spanned across PC, Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony platforms.
This constitutes the biggest acquisition deal in the company history of Nordic Games so far. The acquisition is handled by Nordic Games Licensing AB, based in Karlstad, Sweden, whereas the day-to-day business (sales and distribution of said titles, evaluation of sequels & new content etc.) with the acquired portfolio will be conducted by Nordic Games GmbH, based in Vienna, Austria. The Vienna based business along with its North American sister company, Nordic Games NA Inc. already takes care of the previously acquired JoWooD and DreamCatcher IPs.
“First and foremost we are very happy about this deal which also turns over a new leaf for the entire Nordic Games Group. In the long term, we either want to cooperate with the original creators or best possible developers in order to work on sequels or additional content for these titles” comments Lars Wingefors, owner and CEO of Nordic Games Group AB. “A very important point for us is not to dash into several self-financed multi-million dollar projects right away, but rather to continue our in-depth analysis of all titles and carefully selecting different financing models for developing new instalments of acquired IPs.
“In August 2013, Nordic Games Vienna will have been in business for two very exciting and successful years, and this transaction takes us to new heights and challenges for the years to come” says Klemens Kreuzer, Managing Director at Nordic Games GmbH. “We gradually geared up our company over the years in terms of our overall online and boxed business, our range of platforms, and our headcount. This substantial increase of our games portfolio is the next step to maintain and strengthen our position across a wide range of digital platforms, licencing partners in emerging markets, and in our European and North American core markets” adds Reinhard Pollice, Business and Product Development Director at Nordic Games GmbH.
Nordic Games and THQ expect the US Bankruptcy Court to hear the motion for the sale on May 13, 2013 and to finalize the purchase transactions thereafter.
Nordic Games invites everybody who is interested to visit Nordic Games’ forums and openly discuss on how these titles should be moving forward: http://forum.nordicgames.at/forumdisplay.php?909-Discussion-about-THQ-IPs
About Nordic Games GmbH
Nordic Games GmbH is a wholly owned publishing subsidiary of Nordic Games Group AB. Founded in 2011, the Vienna/Austria based company Nordic Games GmbH puts great emphasis on its extensive game catalogue. The core portfolio comprises products and brands which have been acquired from JoWooD Entertainment AG and DreamCatcher Interactive Inc., and further IPs and trademarks will follow, as above press release clearly indicates.The company will pursue the long-term goal of delivering quality products that live up to expectations of gamers worldwide. For more information, please visit www.nordicgames.at.