Take-Two Interactive Acquires The Gearbox Entertainment Company For $460 Million

Abdul Saad

Take-Two Interactive Software has announced that it will acquire The Gearbox Entertainment Company from Embracer Group for $460 million. The Gearbox Entertainment Company will retain Gearbox Software, Gearbox Montreal, Gearbox Studio Quebec, and the Borderlands and Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands franchises, as well as Homeworld, Risk of Rain, Brothers in Arms, and Duke Nukem. However, the Embracer Group will retain Gearbox Publishing San Francisco, along with the publishing rights to the Remnant franchise, Hyper Light Breaker, and other “notable unannounced game releases”.Randy Pitchford, founder and CEO of Gearbox Entertainment commented on the announcement saying:”As a significant long-term Embracer Group shareholder, I believe in the strategy for the Embracer Group going forward and am completely convinced that this transaction is the best possible scenario and an obvious net positive arrangement for Embracer Group, for Take-Two and, of course, for Gearbox Entertainment. My primary interest is always Gearbox, especially our talent and our customers. I want to personally assure fans of our games that this arrangement will ensure that the experiences we have in development at Gearbox will be the best they can possibly be.”Lars Wingefors, co-founder and CEO of Embracer.“Today’s announcement marks the result of the final structured divestment process and is an important step in transforming Embracer into the future with notably lower net debt and improved free cash flow. Through the transaction, we lower business risk and improve profitability as we transition to becoming a leaner and more focused company. After evaluating several options for Gearbox, I am happy that we have reached a solution that is in the best interest of all stakeholders. Randy and the team have been great team members throughout the past years, and I would like to thank them all for that. As one of the world’s greatest games developers, I am confident that Gearbox will continue to innovate and thrive in their new home within Take-Two.”

Additional details via Embracer:

Transaction key components

The purchase price on a cash and debt free basis and assuming a normalized level of working capital amounts to USD 460 million (SEK 4.9 billion) and will be subject to adjustments by customary purchase price mechanics.
The consideration at closing will be paid 100% in newly issued Take-Two shares. The number of Take-Two shares will be calculated by dividing the purchase price by the volume weighted average closing price per share on the Nasdaq Global Select Market during the five trading day period ending on the trading day immediately prior to the closing date. Embracer’s intent is to sell these shares to receive cash proceeds soon after closing. Closing is expected in Q1 FY 24/25, ending June 2024.
Following purchase price adjustments, transaction costs, share sell-down and earnout settlements (including earnouts earned and due to be previously paid in Q1 FY 24/25) the expected net cash proceeds amount to approximately USD 300-330 million (SEK 3.2-3.5 billion).
Cash earnouts in accordance with non-GAAP will be reduced by SEK 1.6 billion compared to the group total of SEK 6.3 billion as of Q3 FY 2023/24 and of a total maximum of approximately 30 million B shares in share earnout obligations approximately 18 million B shares will be reduced. In connection with closing, the remaining approximately 12 million B shares will still be issued as settlement of certain earnout obligations.
The divested assets include:
- Gearbox Software (Frisco, Texas)
- Gearbox Montréal
- Gearbox Studio Quebec
- Borderlands and Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands franchises, as well as Homeworld, Risk of Rain, Brothers in Arms and Duke Nukem
The retained assets include:
- Gearbox Publishing San Francisco (to be renamed prior to closing, formerly named Perfect World Entertainment), including the publishing rights to the Remnant franchise, the upcoming Hyper Light Breaker and other notable unannounced game releases
- Cryptic Studios, including MMO titles Neverwinter Online and Star Trek Online.
- Lost Boys Interactive
- Captured Dimensions
The retained companies will be welcomed and integrated into other parts of Embracer Group in the coming period. All companies are expected to contribute with a positive cash flow going forward.