UNITED STATES: Embracer, a media holding company, announced that Volition, the developer of Saints Row, will be moving from Deep Silver to Gearbox Software to keep its business running.
Volition had previously worked on the highly regarded Red Faction and FreeSpace games in addition to Saints Row; however, its most recent endeavours have not generally been as successful.
Saints Row bagged fame for its unique GTA parody gameplay
Volition has developed a portfolio of games with significant niche appeal over time. Saints Row, a game that had previously served as a complete parody of Grand Theft Auto, was its most notable offering.
Despite its apparent financial success, the new Saints Row reboot, the game faced heavy criticism for its flat plot and uninteresting characters, which were related to the developer’s new home.
Gearbox Software is best known for video games like Borderlands, but over the past few years, the studio has expanded in a more general direction and dabbled in indie publishing with games like Risk of Rain 2.
The Embracer Group’s most recent earnings report states that the new Saints Row disappointed and left fans “partially polarized,” Gearbox will also take control of Volition. The report doesn’t go into much more detail about this, but it does say that Gearbox will “create future success” at Volition by using its experienced management team in the United States.
Notably, the Embracer Group owns both Gearbox Software and Deep Silver. Therefore, instead of being acquired by the new company, Volition is being relocated to continue its work under new management.
The official report also states that the company expects the game will generate a fruitful return on the publisher’s investment, even though it seems almost sure that the game’s lack of critical acclaim is to blame.
The CEO of Embracer has previously made remarks regarding Saints Row. Lars Wingefors said that while he was disappointed that long-time fans of the franchise weren’t happy with the game, the November report would have more information about Volition.
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