[2021] AmA Request: Lars Wingefors, Founder & CEO, Embracer Group (Official Buyers of GSG)

Original Post — Direct link

We show up here to shoot bugs and move dirt. We're one of the most positive, encouraging subreddits alive. We're rarely jerks, we're appreciative, and enthusiastic about Deep Rock Galactic.

We show a lot of love, and we've gotten a lot of love in return, but publishers purchasing studios has gone horribly wrong in the past.

Is my favorite game now in the pocket of a European EA Clone? Will we start seeing pay-to-win garbage and loot boxes? Crappy micro-transactions?

Will we have Anthem and Outriders issues with future titles, where investors crying about returns can force out poorly performing titles at premium prices?

Will we have an EA/Respawn situation where a highly talented studio gets stuffed into live service trend pandering?

The Twitter Announcement is here, and I'm gonna be real blunt:

I've been burned, investing and caring about the devs and community surrounding great games. I Don't Trust Big Money Gaming. So I'm requesting an AmA from the head honcho. The founder. The person who is in charge of the people in charge.

I want quotable statements, so I can see if they go back on their word. Not ambiguous placating, but interaction - real, human, interpretable responses to concerns each of you should have.

This isn't CoD. We're not a bunch of screaming, hateful children, and I'm very tired of being treated like a walking wallet.

I wanna know what we can expect from this.

So, Mr. Lars Wingefors, I'm asking YOU.

Do You fight for Rock and Stone?

When we look back in 5 years, will we still be able to say "Karl would approve"?

External link →

over 3 years ago - /u/GSG_Jacob - Direct link

Originally posted by Super_Saiyan_Weegee

The way ghost ship formed in the first place was that a bunch of veteran game devs quit their old studio to make their own. I'm pretty sure they wouldn't sell to a terrible company if they were willing to quit one in the first place.

Actually, a lot came from Press Play that was acquired and later closed by Microsoft. That’s an experience no-one wants to repeat again, so Embracer was definitely chosen with this in mind. From what I’ve been told, Embracer buys studios that are doing well on their own, and lets them continue to do so - they really dont want to step in and meddle.

over 3 years ago - /u/GSG_Jacob - Direct link

Originally posted by callingFives

This matches up with my concerns - zip on over to the Embracer Group website. ALL they talk about is how much money they made and what IP/studios they own. Nothing there about community. Nothing there about dedication to letting studios be themselves. No mission statement that mentions players and consumers being cared about.

If that's how it's going to be, well, I'm not interested in watching the soul get sucked outta such a great studio and game. I get that it's a big deal for GSG. It's kinda the endgame step for dev studios - get bought up by someone who can fund and promote and connect your products. A company with sway at the negotiation table is a blessing to smaller studios.

It is rarely a boon to the consumers and communities. Folks like Versus Evil who focus heavily on community involvement and maintaining standards with their work and representation are an exception, not the norm.

Which way will this go? Perhaps we will find out directly.

That’s a corporate website aimed at investors. It’s literally what they do. The reason you’re not seeing anything about a mission statement is that they don’t get involved. From what I’ve been told, they don’t even have anyone on the payroll, that can do the things you fear they’d do. They’re giving us a safety net on the long run and the resources to do what we’re already doing, and part of the deal is that we continue with everything full speed.

I’ll get Soren to chime in tomorrow, as it is 1AM here.

over 3 years ago - /u/Soren_GSG - Direct link

Originally posted by GSG_Jacob

That’s a corporate website aimed at investors. It’s literally what they do. The reason you’re not seeing anything about a mission statement is that they don’t get involved. From what I’ve been told, they don’t even have anyone on the payroll, that can do the things you fear they’d do. They’re giving us a safety net on the long run and the resources to do what we’re already doing, and part of the deal is that we continue with everything full speed.

I’ll get Soren to chime in tomorrow, as it is 1AM here.

yes, Jacob is spot on with his comment.

I have met Lars several times. We went to his office in Karlstad (an appropriate name, right?) to shake hands on the deal. And Lars is the most no-bullsh*t business guy I have ever met. Super pragmatic and basically just a nerdy collector."

Embracer and Lars Wingefors have bought Ghost Ship because of the way we have handled the success of Deep Rock. And the way we have involved our community. Lars is not at all interested in changing anything at Ghost Ship.

We will stay as independent as before, but now just in a much stronger position, where we will continue to support DRG for years to come. And we will continue and strengthen our already fantastic relationship with Coffee Stain.

If you need some reassurance on this, then just check Coffee Stain and how they have faired. They still operate as independently as they did before they were acquired by Lars and Embracer. They continue to be both in control of their games and their business.

And so will Ghost Ship.

over 3 years ago - /u/GSG_Jacob - Direct link

Soren has given his reply here.

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