Who Owns Starbreeze Games?
Starbreeze is a Swedish video game developer and publisher known for its successful franchise, Payday, as well as other games such as Payday 2 and Payday 3. The company has a rich history, and its ownership structure has changed over the years. In this article, we will delve into the current ownership of Starbreeze games and explore the company’s history, highlighting significant events and transactions.
Current Ownership Structure
As of 2020, Starbreeze is owned by Digital Bros, an Italian-based publisher and developer. In January 2020, Digital Bros announced its intention to acquire Starbreeze’s assets for €19.2 million (£16.2m). The acquisition was finalized, and Starbreeze became a subsidiary of Digital Bros.
Starbreeze’s History
Founded in 1998, Starbreeze started as a small game development studio, working on various titles. In 2012, the company acquired Overkill Software, a prominent game development studio, which would later become the driving force behind the Payday franchise.
Payday Series
The Payday series is a cooperative first-person shooter franchise developed by Overkill Software and published by 505 Games. The first game, Payday: The Heist, was released in 2011, followed by Payday 2 in 2013. The latest installment, Payday 3, was released in 2022.
Significant Events and Transactions
Here are some significant events and transactions that have shaped the ownership structure of Starbreeze games:
• 2012: Starbreeze acquires Overkill Software: Starbreeze acquired Overkill Software, which would later develop the Payday franchise.
• 2013: 505 Games publishes Payday 2: 505 Games published Payday 2, which became a huge success.
• 2020: Digital Bros acquires Starbreeze’s assets: Digital Bros acquired Starbreeze’s assets for €19.2 million (£16.2m), becoming the current owner of Starbreeze games.
Game Development and Publishing
As a subsidiary of Digital Bros, Starbreeze continues to develop and publish games under its own label. The company has a team of experienced developers and publishes its games through digital storefronts such as Steam, GOG, and PlayStation Store.
Revenue Streams
Starbreeze generates revenue through game development, publishing, and sales. The company also earns money through in-game transactions, DLC (downloadable content), and microtransactions.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Starbreeze is currently owned by Digital Bros, an Italian-based publisher and developer. The company has a rich history, dating back to 1998, and has developed several successful games, including the Payday franchise. Through its acquisition of Overkill Software in 2012, Starbreeze secured a strong foothold in the gaming industry, which has led to significant financial success.
Timeline
Here is a brief timeline of Starbreeze’s history:
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1998 | Starbreeze founded |
| 2012 | Starbreeze acquires Overkill Software |
| 2013 | 505 Games publishes Payday 2 |
| 2020 | Digital Bros acquires Starbreeze’s assets |
| 2022 | Payday 3 released |
Key Takeaways
• Starbreeze is currently owned by Digital Bros.
• The company has a rich history, dating back to 1998.
• Starbreeze acquired Overkill Software in 2012.
• 505 Games published Payday 2 in 2013.
• Digital Bros acquired Starbreeze’s assets in 2020.
• Payday 3 was released in 2022.