Skip to main content
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+ The Games, Movies, TV & Comics You Love
UK EditionUK US EditionUS CA EditionCanada AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Black Friday
    • Gaming
      • Black Friday PS5 Deals
      • Black Friday Switch Deals
      • Black Friday Xbox Deals
      • Black Friday Retro Deals
    • PC
      • Black Friday Gaming Laptop Deals
      • Black Friday Gaming Monitor Deals
      • Black Friday Graphics Card Deals
      • Black Friday Alienware Deals
    • Tabletop & Merch
      • Black Friday Lego Deals
      • Black Friday Board Game Deals
      • Black Friday Pokémon Card Deals
      • Black Friday Warhammer Deals
      • Gift Guides
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
    • Quizzes
    • Newsletters
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
Total Film
  • home
  • Black Friday
    • View Black Friday
      • Black Friday PS5 Deals
      • Black Friday Switch Deals
      • Black Friday Xbox Deals
      • Black Friday Retro Deals
      • Black Friday Gaming Laptop Deals
      • Black Friday Gaming Monitor Deals
      • Black Friday Graphics Card Deals
      • Black Friday Alienware Deals
      • Black Friday Lego Deals
      • Black Friday Board Game Deals
      • Black Friday Pokémon Card Deals
      • Black Friday Warhammer Deals
      • Gift Guides
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • View Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
    • Quizzes
    • Newsletters
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
Total Film
Gaming Magazines
Gaming Magazines
Why subscribe?
  • Subscribe from just £3
  • Takes you closer to the games, movies and TV you love
  • Try a single issue or save on a subscription
  • Issues delivered straight to your door or device
From$12
Subscribe now
Don't miss these
A cropped screenshot of characters attacking a dragon in Dragon Age: Origins - Ultimate Edition.
Dragon Age "EA has a huge repository of dormant IPs that are just sitting there" after $55 billion buyout, says former Dragon Age and Anthem producer, so it could make better "financial sense" to sell studios instead of shutting them down
A mask in front of flames during the upcoming PS5 game, Borderlands 4.
Borderlands Borderlands 4 seemingly throws shade at former owner Embracer with an AI toilet and rundown town ruled by a king in a hot tub
Dragon Age The Veilguard screenshot showcasing the skeleton Manfred
Games EA claims "our creative freedom and player-first values will remain intact" after buyout, and "even with the new debt" of $20 billion it will work to grow the company
EA Sports FC 25 screenshot of players posing in victory
Games Analysts say EA buyout "doesn't add up," expect the company to double down on live services and sports at expense of "new ideas and innovation" with layoffs looking inevitable
Battlefield 6 multiplayer screenshot
Games Battlefield 6 and Dragon Age owner EA goes private in $55 billion deal, smashing past its market value
GTA 6
Grand Theft Auto Take-Two CEO says they "take no victory lap" following $55 billion EA buyout news, and the company is "always running scared": "We wish our competitors well"
Dragon Age: The Veilguard screenshot of Solas
Games Ex-BioWare veteran says EA's $55 billion buyout is "likely going to mean layoffs and studio closures and a dramatic reduction in people" thanks to that looming $20 billion of debt
Mass Effect
Games EA CEO tells employees $55 billion buyout marks "a new era of opportunity" and the company's values "remain unchanged"
Dragon Age
Games "It's going to get worse before it gets better": $55 billion buyout has EA employees worried, and "nothing feels great" as "layoffs usually follow those type of acquisitions"
Mass Effect 2's Illusive Man
Games EA tells employees worried about layoffs after $55 billion buyout that there will be "no immediate changes" to your jobs, and I think "immediate" is the key word here
Cthulhu: Death May Die - Forbidden Reaches box surrounded by miniatures, against a dark background
Board Games "Delivery will be delayed" for the latest installment in Cthulhu: Death May Die board game after Asmodee acquires the franchise
Commander Shepard in Mass Effect
Mass Effect EA goes $20 billion in debt as part of its $55 billion buyout, and the BioWare fans who've already waited 8 years for Mass Effect 5 are terrified of how the company might cut costs
Doom
FPS Games "A lot of companies" are interested in reviving Doom icon John Romero's new FPS that Microsoft reportedly pulled funding on: "If you move and start working with somebody else, they get $50 million for free"
David Corenswet as Superman
Movies Warner Bros. Discovery, which owns HBO, DC Studios and more, is reportedly up for sale
Metal: Hellsinger art of demon dual wielding guns
FPS Games Survive "a near-death studio experience," rally to make a hit game, and get laid off anyway: 10-year studio The Outsiders shut down by Dune: Awakening house Funcom
Trending
  • Early Black Friday deals
  • Fallout Season 2
  • New Games for 2025
  • Gift Guides
  1. Games

Who owns THQ's properties?

Features
By Jason Fanelli published 23 April 2013

The chips have fallen

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

In the aftermath

In the aftermath

The smoke is cleared. While most of THQ's popular assets were sold off several months ago, there were several outstanding companies and franchises that were still up in the air. And now, they've landed. THQ's assets have been sold, and every franchise and studio they controlled now has a new home.

There's a lot to remember about THQ's firesale, a lot of names and a lot of new destinations. We've created this handy guide to remind everyone just who controls what from now on, so you know who to complain to (or thank) the next time a franchise you love has a bad (or great) entry.

Page 1 of 10
Page 1 of 10
Koch Media

Koch Media

Who they are: Koch Media is better known as Deep Silver, the publishers of the Dead Island series. They also control the RPG franchise Sacred and the PC RTS series X3.

What they got: Volition Entertainment and Saints Row for $22.3 million, rights to the Metro franchise for $5.8 million.

Page 2 of 10
Page 2 of 10
Crytek

Crytek

Who they are: Crytek, based in Frankfurt, Germany, focuses mostly on the first-person shooter genre. Notable games include the entire Crysis series and the upcoming free-to-play miltary shooter Warface, which is currently in closed beta.

What they got: Rights to the Homefront franchise for $500,000 (they were developing Homefront 2 at the time of THQ's dismantling), created Crytek USA studio with 35 former Vigil Games employees

Page 3 of 10
Page 3 of 10
Sega

Sega

Who they are: Most notably the house that Sonic the Hedgehog built, Sega has been making video games since the late 1980s. Through the years they've built a strong library of RTS games with the Total War series.

What they got: Relic Entertainment (Company of Heroes and Warhammer 40,000 franchises) for $26.6 million

Page 4 of 10
Page 4 of 10
Take-Two Entertainment

Take-Two Entertainment

Who they are: Take-Two is the parent company of many prominent names, including Rockstar Games and 2K Games. Grand Theft Auto, BioShock, Borderlands...all are Take-Two franchises.

What they got: Turtle Rock Studios' "Evolve" project for $10.8 million, rights to the WWE license (original THQ agreement ended, new agreement successfully negotiated)

Page 5 of 10
Page 5 of 10
Ubisoft

Ubisoft

Who they are: Based in Montreuil, France, Ubisoft is the big-time publisher responsible for AAA names like Splinter Cell, Far Cry, and the wildly popular Assassin's Creed. Their newest franchise, Watch Dogs, is due this fall.

What they got: THQ's Montreal studio for $2.5 million, publishing rights to South Park: The Stick of Truth for $3.2 million (due for release in "calendar year 2013")

Page 6 of 10
Page 6 of 10
Gearbox Entertainment

Gearbox Entertainment

Who they are: Gearbox Software, headed by Randy Pitchford, is one of the biggest third-party development houses in gaming. Some of their games are smash hits (Borderlands), while others (Aliens: Colonial Marines) are...not as good.

What they got: Rights to the Homeworld franchise for $1.35 million

Page 7 of 10
Page 7 of 10
505 Games

505 Games

Who they are: 505 Games is one of the newer publishers in the gaming industry, having started in 2006. They hold the rights to the Sniper Elite and ARMA franchises, and most recently published indie sensation Terraria on the PS3.

What they got: Rights to Drawn to Life and Drawn to Life: The Next Chapter for $300,000

Page 8 of 10
Page 8 of 10
Nordic Games

Nordic Games

Who they are: Nordic Games is a name that PC gamers should be plenty familiar with, as they are responsible for franchises such as Painkiller, Spellforce, and Safecracker. They also control The Adventure Company's library of games, including Sam and Max and Broken Sword.

What they got: The remainder of THQ's owned franchises (Darksiders, MX vs ATV, Red Faction, Destroy All Humans!, and more) and licensed franchises (Marvel Super Hero Squad, Supreme Commander, and more) for a total of $4.9 million

Page 9 of 10
Page 9 of 10
A new day

A new day

What will become of all of these franchises and companies? Only time will tell. All in all, we're happy that most of the games wound up in capable hands, and we're eager to see how THQ's former projects turn out in the hands of new owners.

And if you're looking for more, check out the history of THQ and where we wanted each game to land.

Page 10 of 10
Page 10 of 10
CATEGORIES
Android iPad iPhone PC Gaming Wii-u Nintendo PlayStation PS4 Xbox Xbox One Platforms Mobile Gaming
Jason Fanelli
WHY HELLO THERE! Name's Jason, hailing from right outside Philadelphia. I've been playing the vidya games for well over 20 years, starting with the NES and making my way all the way up to the Wii U. My mother tells people that I taught myself to read at age 3 using Wheel of Fortune Family Edition on the NES. I'm the type of guy that will try anything once, but I do have a few favorite genres, fighting and RPG being at the top. I've been writing about video games since I finished my Broadcast Journalism degree at Temple University in December 2008, mostly for www.gamernode.com. Since then I've been to three E3s, two New York Comic Cons, the first ever PAX East, and many more to come (I hope). I hope everyone enjoys my stuff as much as I love producing it. Hit me up on Twitter @bigmanfanelli, I love talking games with anyone and everyone.
Read more
A cropped screenshot of characters attacking a dragon in Dragon Age: Origins - Ultimate Edition.
"EA has a huge repository of dormant IPs that are just sitting there" after $55 billion buyout, says former Dragon Age and Anthem producer, so it could make better "financial sense" to sell studios instead of shutting them down
 
 
A mask in front of flames during the upcoming PS5 game, Borderlands 4.
Borderlands 4 seemingly throws shade at former owner Embracer with an AI toilet and rundown town ruled by a king in a hot tub
 
 
Dragon Age The Veilguard screenshot showcasing the skeleton Manfred
EA claims "our creative freedom and player-first values will remain intact" after buyout, and "even with the new debt" of $20 billion it will work to grow the company
 
 
EA Sports FC 25 screenshot of players posing in victory
Analysts say EA buyout "doesn't add up," expect the company to double down on live services and sports at expense of "new ideas and innovation" with layoffs looking inevitable
 
 
Battlefield 6 multiplayer screenshot
Battlefield 6 and Dragon Age owner EA goes private in $55 billion deal, smashing past its market value
 
 
GTA 6
Take-Two CEO says they "take no victory lap" following $55 billion EA buyout news, and the company is "always running scared": "We wish our competitors well"
 
 
Latest in Games
A screenshot of the Adoring Fan seen in The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered.
After Oblivion Remastered and Hi-Fi Rush, Bethesda Game Studios director wants more shadowdrops because "we all have short attention spans now"
 
 
where winds meet weapons
Where Winds Meet weapons tier list for the best offensive options
 
 
Half-Life 2
Ex Valve designer reveals the door and big toe that retroactively broke Half-Life 2: "This isn't a normal bug - it appears to have traveled backwards in time and infected the original!"
 
 
Hollow Knight: Silksong needle master cutscene
Silksong is shockingly cheap at just $20, but Team Cherry says it just tries to "price the games at a reasonable level for people," man
 
 
Hytale
Hytale is priced so "aggressively low" that its returning owner is "taking on a considerable personal risk," but "charging more didn't feel right" because "I don't think the game is good yet"
 
 
Minecraft
Minecraft player redefines sadness with the world's worst challenge, living in an inhospitable wasteland with only one Bonus Chest of items: "I think we can work with this"
 
 
Latest in Features
Steve Rogers and Nick Fury Jr. conferring
Captain America #6 will send Steve Rogers and Nick Fury Jr's new SHIELD into the "powder keg" of a war-torn Latveria where they'll have to "reckon with the ghost of Doom" as well as the rampaging Red Hulk
 
 
Will from Moonlighter 2 runs towards us, against a GamesRadar+ On The Radar background
On the Radar with Moonlighter 2 – delving beyond the early access launch of this roguelike RPG with exclusive developer access
 
 
Will sells many items at once in Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault, with a GamesRadar+ On the Radar frame
Moonlighter 2’s shop system solves the age-old RPG issue of your bag being filled with useless tat
 
 
Key art for Marathon showing a colorful cybernetic character with a gun taking cover, with a GamesRadar+ frame that reads 'PS5: Five Year Anniversary'
The run-up to Marathon's release has been such a train wreck that it's easy to forget that the game might still be really good
 
 
Harry Melling and Alexander Skarsgård as Colin and Ray in Pillion
Leave your expectations for Alexander Skarsgård's new movie Pillion at the door: it's steamy and sexy, but it's so much more than a rom-com
 
 
Key art for Rue Valley showing Eugene Harrow hanging upside down with a digital clock display showing 20:47 over his eyes, in front of the Rue Valley Motel above a highway
Rue Valley is a time looping RPG that's best off leaning away from Disco Elysium comparisons, and getting Monkey Island with it instead
 
 
  1. Key art showing Constance with a paintbrush on a background of brushstrokes
    1
    Constance review: "If Hollow Knight: Silksong seems too daunting, this wonderful paint powered adventure should do nicely"
  2. 2
    This enthralling team board game is perfect for playing with family this Thanksgiving
  3. 3
    Kirby Air Riders review: "This racer is also equal parts fighting game, minigame collection, and roguelike – and I'm shocked at how well that works"
  4. 4
    Demonschool review: "This Persona-inspired RPG is full of fun, flair, and ready to chomp away at your free time"
  5. 5
    Morsels review: "The Binding of Isaac style roguelike shooting gets somehow grosser, but struggles to set itself apart"
  1. Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda in Wicked: For Good
    1
    Wicked: For Good review: "Builds to an incredibly cathartic conclusion, but isn't quite as captivating as Part 1"
  2. 2
    The Running Man review: "Some fun action and Glen Powell's star power aren't enough to energize this disappointing Stephen King adaptation"
  3. 3
    Predator: Badlands review: "Die-hard fans may be disappointed, but as a blockbuster action-adventure, Badlands kills it"
  4. 4
    Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc review "Storytelling just as compelling as the chainsaws, devils, and visually excessive fight scenes"
  5. 5
    Tron: Ares review: "Misses out by swapping the Grid for the real world"
  1. Rhea Seehorn as Carol Sturka, looking scared, in Pluribus.
    1
    Pluribus season 1 review: "Easily one of the year's best dramas"
  2. 2
    The Witcher season 4 review: "The Henry Cavill-less fourth season is the best yet"
  3. 3
    IT: Welcome to Derry review: "A supremely confident step back into the history of Stephen King's cursed town and killer clown"
  4. 4
    Splinter Cell: Deathwatch review: "A pale imitation of the long-dormant stealth franchise"
  5. 5
    Marvel Zombies review: "A fun expansion of the What If episode with delightful MCU Easter eggs and truly gross R-rated kills"

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...