Gearbox may be the next to escape Embracer Group as the massive company continues to hemorrhage staff and studios as part of a restructuring effort sparked by a $2 billion deal that fell through last year.
Kotaku reports that Gearbox is close to signing a deal with an unspecified buyer, just three years after Embracer snapped up the Borderlands studio to the tune of $1.3 billion. CEO Randy Pitchford reportedly told employees that the company could either stay with Embracer, sell to another company, or return to independence; as of a meeting held this week, option two is reportedly approaching the final stages. Its new soon-to-be owner is unclear for the time being.
Gearbox hasn't outright confirmed the deal, which is expected to be discussed with employees in more depth next month, but Pitchford did send a winking statement to Kotaku:
"I’m delighted that what we might be up to is interesting enough to people that you want to make a story about us for your readers. I’m honored and humbled that our company is a topic of rumor, speculation, and discussion. As always, we will be thrilled to share whenever we have projects to announce or news to share as we work hard towards our mission to entertain the world."
