4A Games and Zen Studios Will Not be Sold to Saber Interactive, Embracer Group Confirms

When it was announced earlier in the year that Saber Interactive was leaving Embracer Group in a deal worth $247 million – with the deal also seeing the former taking ownership of the likes of Slipgate Ironworks, 3D Realms, New World Interactive, and others from the latter – it was also confirmed at the time that though Metro developer 4A Games and Zen Pinball developer Zen Studios would both remain under Embracer Group’s ownership, as part of the deal, Saber Interactive would be able to exercise the option to acquire both. It has now been announced by Embracer that that option will not be exercised.

In a release published on its website, Embracer announced that 4A Games and Zen Studios will remain under its ownership, and also confirmed that the former currently has two unannounced AAA titles in development. One of these is confirmed to be the next mainline instalment in the Metro franchise.

“We are satisfied with the conclusion of this transaction and very glad to see the great teams and assets of 4A Games and Zen Studios remain within Embracer,” said Embracer Group CEO Lars Wingefors. “They will be important building blocks in our continued journey. 4A Games has currently two AAA titles under development that we eagerly await to announce.”

Wingefors also went on to congratulate Saber Interactive on the recent successful launch of Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, which surpassed 2 million players on all platforms shortly after its global release.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Matthew Karch for his contributions over the years, and at the same time congratulate the Saber team on the successful release of the iconic Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, that will make a great start in their new structure,” he said.

As for 4A Games’ next Metro title or its second unannounced AAA project, it remains to be seen when either will be announced. Earlier this year, publisher Deep Silver provided a brief update on the former, confirming that development on the game was continuing at 4A Games.