34BigThings buys back its independence from Embracer after six years

Italian studio 34BigThings — developer of the Redout games and the upcoming Carmageddon: Rogue Shift — is independent again after six years under Embracer. Co-founder Valerio Di Donato has acquired full ownership of the studio, which will now be led by Di Donato, fellow co-founder Giuseppe Enrico Franchi, and new CFO Daniel Giagnorio.

Di Donato credited Embracer's stewardship with helping the studio grow to more than 70 employees and build a reputation as an acclaimed European developer. "This provided us with invaluable structure and stability, while offering a first-hand look at the complexities of balancing internal development with external stakeholders," he said. Franchi framed the buyback as a chance to reclaim full creative control: "Being independent means being free to pick and choose our own projects, freely discard what doesn't work, allocate production resources the way we see fit, and being quicker in seizing external opportunities without having to wait for approval." The purchase price wasn't disclosed.

The move comes as Embracer continues to shrink — the Swedish holding company has spent the last few years laying off staff, closing studios, and selling off assets after its rapid expansion stalled. Whether 34BigThings was actively being shopped around as part of that process isn't clear, but Franchi was direct about the motivation: "Our reacquisition plans were independent to any, if existing, conversations otherwise and motivated by the growth and future direction we wanted to see in the studio."

As for what's next, 34BigThings is promising a busy run. Franchi says the studio will announce "a major title built on one of the most important, beloved, and revered intellectual properties in the world" later this year, with another major title lined up for 2027 and a third project slated for 2028. 34BigThings is also Italy's second-largest independent game studio, which gives the announcement some extra weight for the European development scene.