Embracer says it will ‘more actively’ explore Deus Ex, TimeSplitters, and Saints Row partnerships

May 20, 2026 - 10:22

Embracer Group has indicated it will take a more aggressive approach to licensing out some of its biggest video game properties, including Deus Ex, TimeSplitters, and Saints Row. The announcement came alongside the formation of a new subsidiary called Fellowship Entertainment, which will be tasked with managing the licensing business for both major and smaller intellectual properties within the company's vast portfolio.

The move suggests that Embracer is shifting away from internal development for these specific franchises, at least for the time being. Instead, the company plans to partner with external studios and publishers who want to create new games, merchandise, or other media based on these brands. This strategy allows Embracer to generate revenue from its IPs without bearing the full cost and risk of development.

Fellowship Entertainment will act as a central hub for these deals. The company will handle negotiations, brand management, and quality control to ensure that licensed products meet certain standards. For fans of Deus Ex, a cyberpunk role-playing series that has been dormant for years, or TimeSplitters, a cult-classic first-person shooter franchise, this news offers a glimmer of hope. It opens the door for a passionate independent studio to revive these worlds, even if Embracer itself is not making the games.

The mention of Saints Row is particularly notable. The franchise recently saw a reboot that failed to meet sales expectations, leading to the closure of the developer Volition. Licensing the IP could allow another team to take a different creative direction with the open-world crime series. While no specific partnerships have been announced yet, Embracer's new focus on licensing signals that these iconic names are not being shelved, but rather put up for grabs.