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Embracer Relies on Older Games Amid Rising Delays and Industry Profit Pressure

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Embracer Group, the Swedish gaming conglomerate behind franchises like Tomb Raider, is increasingly depending on its back catalogue to sustain cash flow as delays and costs balloon across the gaming industry, CEO Lars Wingefors said on Thursday.

The shift, however, is not a permanent strategy, Wingefors emphasized, as the industry grapples with longer development cycles, soaring production budgets, and tempered consumer spending. Major releases — known as AAA titles — are now riskier than ever, and studios must deliver polished, high-quality games to avoid reputation and revenue damage.

“It’s very hard to repair a buggy or unfinished product,” Wingefors told Reuters.

Key Developments:

  • Embracer will lean on legacy titles to support operations in the near term.

  • It expects slight revenue growth and flat earnings for the fiscal year 2025/26.

  • The group plans to split into three separate listed companies.

  • Of nine planned AAA releases for FY2026–2028, at least one will be delayed, though no titles were specified.

Broader Industry Trend: Delay and Divide

The slowdown reflects a broader crisis in the games sector:

  • Ubisoft, Embracer’s French peer, has twice delayed its new Assassin’s Creed title — which launched to praise after a polished rollout.

  • The company has acknowledged it will now be more selective with new intellectual properties and focus on creating “evergreen” franchises that yield revenue over extended periods.

  • Like Embracer, Ubisoft is shifting toward games that offer longer monetization windows rather than one-time launches.

Why Back Catalogues Matter Now

  • Studios like Embracer are monetizing proven titles, which carry lower marketing risk, established fan bases, and predictable cash flows.

  • During and post-COVID, demand for games surged, but current economic conditions and weaker consumer confidence are squeezing the profitability of newer, costlier ventures.

Looking Ahead: AI and Efficiency

Wingefors added that AI tools may boost efficiency for mid- and lower-tier titles, helping developers reduce costs and development times. Although still in early use, automation and generative design tools could help studios remain agile while tackling delays and budget constraints.

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic Remake Remains in Development, Says Saber CEO

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The much-anticipated Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (KOTOR) remake is reportedly still in development, according to Saber Interactive. First announced for the PlayStation 5 in 2021, the remake project has faced several challenges, including a studio change and an indefinite delay. Despite these setbacks, Saber Interactive reaffirmed last year that the game remained in the works. After months of silence, the developer has provided a glimmer of hope regarding the future of the beloved RPG.

CEO Matt Karch of Saber Interactive recently confirmed that the KOTOR remake is still progressing. However, he offered little additional information, leaving fans to speculate on the timeline for its release. As of now, there’s no official word on when players can expect the game to launch, but the statement has provided some reassurance that the remake has not been abandoned.

Saber’s Chief Creative Officer, Tim Willits, also weighed in on the situation, adding to the optimism surrounding the project. In a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), Willits indicated that the remake was still very much alive. He noted that Saber is working on a variety of games across different genres, and emphasized that they would only share updates when there’s something significant to announce. This aligns with earlier remarks from Karch, who stated that the project remains a priority for the team.

Back in April 2024, Karch assured fans that the KOTOR remake was “alive and well,” despite Saber Interactive’s separation from the Embracer Group. With the studio’s continued focus on delivering a quality product, Karch highlighted the team’s commitment to exceeding player expectations. While the wait continues, this update is a reminder that the project is far from forgotten, and Saber is determined to bring the iconic Star Wars RPG back to life in a way that will meet the high hopes of its fanbase.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 Surpasses Expectations, Approaching 2 Million Sales Milestone

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Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 Exceeds Expectations, Approaches 2 Million Copies Sold

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 has proven to be a major success for Embracer Group, with nearly 2 million copies sold since its release. The medieval RPG, developed by Warhorse Studios and published by Deep Silver, launched across PC, PS5, and Xbox Series S/X on February 4, 2025. The game surpassed expectations almost immediately, selling 1 million copies within just 24 hours of release. Now, less than two weeks after launch, it looks set to double that impressive figure, signaling a highly successful entry in the Kingdom Come series.

Unprecedented Success Following Launch

During Embracer Group’s third-quarter FY 2024-25 earnings call, the company revealed that Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 had “significantly outperformed” their sales projections. In a statement, Embracer CEO Lars Wingefors expressed excitement over the game’s initial success, noting that it had not only received positive reception from both players and critics but also exceeded sales expectations. The title’s quick rise in sales reflects the hard work and dedication of Warhorse Studios and the support of its publisher, Deep Silver.

Record-Breaking Launch Performance

The sales numbers for Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 have been particularly strong on Steam, where the game reached a peak concurrent player count of 250,000 within days of its release. As of the latest reports, the game has seen a record-breaking 256,206 peak concurrent players on Steam, further demonstrating its widespread appeal. Although the majority of sales can be attributed to its PC launch, the game is also seeing strong performances on consoles like Xbox and PlayStation, meaning its total player base is likely much larger than Steam numbers alone suggest.

Looking Ahead

With sales expected to approach the 2 million mark in the near future, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is solidifying itself as one of the standout RPG releases of 2025. This success has positioned it as a key asset for Embracer Group, who continues to push forward with new and exciting projects. The positive reception and impressive sales figures signal that there’s a strong demand for historically inspired, open-world RPG experiences, and fans will likely be keeping a close eye on what comes next for the Kingdom Come franchise.