Epic Games, the prominent developer and publisher behind globally recognized franchises such as Fortnite and the widely utilized Unreal Engine technology platform, does not own Gearbox Software. Gearbox Software, the studio responsible for the highly successful Borderlands series, Brothers in Arms, and other notable titles, is currently a subsidiary of Embracer Group AB, a large Swedish video game and media holding company. The ownership structure is therefore clear and distinct: Gearbox Software operates under the Embracer Group umbrella, not under Epic Games.
(does epic games own gearbox)
Understanding the distinct corporate paths of these two entities is crucial. Epic Games, founded by Tim Sweeney, has evolved significantly from its early days with Unreal Tournament into a powerhouse defined by Fortnite’s massive success and the ubiquitous Unreal Engine, which serves as a foundational technology for countless developers worldwide. Its strategic focus includes expanding the Epic Games Store as a major digital distribution platform, ongoing development and support for Fortnite and Unreal Engine, and pursuing ventures like the metaverse. Epic Games has made acquisitions, such as Psyonix (Rocket League) and Harmonix (Rock Band), but Gearbox Software was never among them.
Gearbox Software, founded by Randy Pitchford, established its reputation primarily through the Borderlands franchise, known for its distinctive “looter-shooter” gameplay, irreverent humor, and cel-shaded art style. Beyond Borderlands, the studio has developed titles like Brothers in Arms and Homeworld, and published games including Duke Nukem Forever and Bulletstorm. Prior to its acquisition by Embracer Group, Gearbox was an independent entity for many years, although it had publishing partnerships with larger companies like 2K Games for the Borderlands series.
The significant ownership change for Gearbox occurred in 2021. Embracer Group AB, a rapidly expanding conglomerate with a vast portfolio of game development studios (including THQ Nordic, Deep Silver, Saber Interactive, and many others), announced the acquisition of Gearbox Entertainment Company, the parent company of Gearbox Software, for an initial consideration of $363 million, with potential earn-outs up to approximately $1.3 billion based on future performance milestones. This transaction formally closed in April 2021, integrating Gearbox into Embracer’s extensive network of game development assets. This acquisition placed Gearbox Software firmly within the Embracer Group structure, alongside numerous other studios, and remains its current ownership status.
Epic Games, while a major player interacting with numerous studios through its Unreal Engine licensing and Epic Games Store distribution, operates independently. There is no corporate ownership link between Epic Games and Gearbox Software. Gearbox, like many other studios, licenses Epic’s Unreal Engine technology for its game development projects – the Borderlands series, for instance, utilizes Unreal Engine. Gearbox titles are also available for sale on the Epic Games Store, reflecting a standard business relationship between a platform holder/storefront and a developer/publisher. However, these are commercial partnerships and licensing agreements, not indicators of corporate ownership or control.
(does epic games own gearbox)
In summary, the question of Epic Games owning Gearbox Software can be definitively answered in the negative. Gearbox Software is owned by Embracer Group AB following its acquisition completed in 2021. Epic Games is a separate entity with its own portfolio of owned studios and technologies. While Gearbox utilizes Epic’s Unreal Engine and distributes games via the Epic Games Store, these represent standard industry collaborations and contractual relationships, not an ownership structure. The corporate lineages remain distinct: Epic Games under its own leadership and Embracer Group owning Gearbox Software. Confusion might arise from the prevalence of Unreal Engine in Gearbox titles or their presence on the Epic store, but these operational interactions do not equate to corporate consolidation. Gearbox Software’s development direction and corporate reporting structure flow through Embracer Group, not Epic Games.