THQ Nordic’s wallet opened wide yet again. The publisher announced the purchase of Gunfire Games (Darksiders III), Goodbye Kansas Game Invest, and Milestone s.r.l.
Probably the most significant announcement is the purchase of Gunfire Games. The studio is best known for continuing the Darksiders franchise with the third installment in the long-running franchise. Gunfire Games also worked on the remastered versions of the first two Darksiders games.
In a statement, THQ Nordic CEO Lars Wingefors said,
“With the acquisition of Gunfire Games we are strengthening THQ Nordic’s footprint in the US and are adding an experienced and talented development team that we know very well from having collaborated on Darksiders. Gunfire will contribute with premier development expertise to the group with realizable synergies from day one. It is with great anticipation of future projects we now welcome the team to the THQ Nordic family.”
Gunfire Games was founded in 2014 by veterans of Vigil Games in Austin, Texas. Vigil Games was the original developer of the Darksiders franchise before shutting down during THQ’s firesale in the wake of the company’s bankruptcy. Gunfire Games also released VR game Chronos.
Goodbye Kansas Game Invest is an investment company with a focus on the video game industry founded in 2016. The purchase will give THQ Nordic a portfolio of minority investments from five studios, including Palindrome Interactive, Fall Damage, Neon Giant, Kavalri, and Frambunker. Additionally, the company will gain the royalty rights to Biomutant.
“Goodbye Kansas Game Invest is led by a skilled team with strong insights and experience in developing and growing gaming companies. Besides continuing to support the current portfolio, the transaction provides a great platform for strategic investments in early-stage companies as well as in established teams starting their own development studios,”
said THQ Nordic CEO Lars Wingefors in a statement.
Finally, THQ Nordic purchased MotoGP developer and publisher Milestone s.r.l. THQ Nordic CEO Lars Wingefors said,
“Milestone has developed racing games for 25 years now and is leading the two-wheel racing game genre today. With 50 developed games since inception, 8 million copies sold since 2013 and five games under development I am convinced that Milestone will see continued success in the future. I am thrilled to welcome Luisa and her experienced team to the THQ Nordic group.”
The press release notes the purchase comes from Koch Media, a subsidiary of THQ Nordic.
THQ Nordic is most known for buying every IP and developer under the sun. They’ve most recently announced SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom Rehydrated. They’re also not afraid to announce two different games getting $400 special editions, because why not?
What do you think of these purchases? How long do you think before THQ Nordic buys The Nerd Stash? Let us know in the comments below.