Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Deep Silver

Deep Silver is a established in 2002 as the publishing division of Koch Media, specializing in full-price , , and titles. Headquartered in Höfen, , it operates as a label under —Koch Media's rebranded entity and a of following the 2018 acquisition. The company has gained prominence through franchises like the post-apocalyptic series, where players navigate irradiated wastelands inspired by a nuked ; the chaotic, satirical open-world crime epics of ; zombie-infested tropical survival in ; and the historically grounded medieval : Deliverance, emphasizing realism over fantasy tropes. These series have collectively sold tens of millions of copies, with achieving over 10 million units by 2023 and : Deliverance surpassing 5 million sales. Deep Silver's portfolio also includes acquisitions like Volition (Saints Row developers) and (), bolstering its internal development alongside third-party publishing. While celebrated for innovative gameplay and narrative depth—such as Metro's moral choice systems and Kingdom Come's authentic combat—Deep Silver has encountered setbacks, including the troubled development of , which saw multiple studio changes and an eight-year delay before its 2023 release, and the underperforming 2022 reboot, leading to Volition's closure amid fan backlash over tonal shifts. These incidents highlight challenges in franchise reinvention amid shifting market demands.

History

Founding and Early Operations (2002–2012)

Deep Silver was established in 2002 as Koch Media's premium publishing label for full-price video games, with a focus on delivering titles aimed at core gamers. Koch Media, the parent company, had been founded in 1994 by Franz Koch and Klemens Kundratitz in Höfen, Austria, initially as a media distribution firm before expanding into video game distribution in 1996. The creation of Deep Silver marked Koch Media's strategic shift toward in-house publishing of PC-centric titles, primarily targeting the European market where demand for strategy, simulation, and RPG genres was strong. During its initial years, Deep Silver built its portfolio through third-party publications, emphasizing innovative -developed games. Notable early releases included the space simulation X2: The Threat in 2004 and titles like Earth 2160 in 2005. By 2006, the label had published Rush for Berlin, a that highlighted its commitment to historical and tactical simulations. These efforts established Deep Silver's reputation for handling mid-tier with niche appeal, often partnering with and Eastern developers to localize and distribute content across . The period saw gradual expansion beyond pure publishing, with Deep Silver entering game development in 2007 through the founding of Deep Silver Vienna, its first internal studio, aimed at creating multi-platform titles and proprietary IPs. In 2006, Deep Silver released Gothic 3, an open-world RPG from Piranha Bytes, which sold over 500,000 units worldwide by early 2007, signaling growing commercial traction. This success facilitated deeper collaborations, such as extended partnerships with Piranha Bytes for the Gothic series. By 2008, Deep Silver opened a U.S. subsidiary in Los Angeles to bolster North American operations, though the core focus remained European PC publishing. The decade culminated in high-profile releases like Dead Island in 2011, a zombie survival game that sold millions and underscored Deep Silver's pivot toward action-oriented franchises with global potential.

Acquisition of THQ Assets and Expansion (2013–2017)

In January 2013, following THQ's Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in December 2012, Koch Media—the parent company of Deep Silver—acquired Volition Inc., the developer behind the Saints Row series, along with the intellectual property rights to both the Saints Row and Metro franchises. The transaction, finalized on January 23, 2013, for $22.3 million, included publishing rights for the forthcoming Metro: Last Light and enabled Deep Silver to retain continuity in these established series, which had generated significant revenue for THQ prior to its collapse. This move strengthened Deep Silver's lineup of first-person shooters and open-world action games, integrating Volition as an internal studio renamed Deep Silver Volition. Building on this foundation, Deep Silver pursued diversification into mobile gaming to broaden its market reach. In February 2013, the company publicly stated intentions to enter the sector, targeting midcore titles for and platforms. This strategy materialized on December 2, 2013, when Koch Media acquired Fishlabs GmbH, a Hamburg-based that had filed for self-administration in 2013, for an undisclosed sum. Fishlabs, best known for its Galaxy on Fire space combat series with over 10 million downloads, was rebranded as Deep Silver Fishlabs and tasked with developing mobile experiences, including cross-platform expansions of core franchises. From 2014 to 2017, Deep Silver expanded its publishing output and internal capabilities, releasing high-profile titles that leveraged acquired assets. Saints Row IV launched in August 2013 across multiple platforms, selling over 1 million units in its first week and demonstrating the viability of the Volition acquisition. Metro: Last Light followed in May 2013, achieving critical acclaim for its atmospheric storytelling and sales exceeding 2 million copies by 2014. The period also saw publications like Dead Island: Riptide (2013) and Mafia III (2016), the latter developed externally but expanding Deep Silver's narrative-driven action portfolio to new audiences. These efforts, coupled with Fishlabs' mobile ports and original titles, positioned Deep Silver for sustained growth in console, PC, and emerging digital markets prior to further corporate integrations.

Integration into Embracer Group (2018–2021)

In February 2018, THQ Nordic AB acquired Koch Media GmbH, the parent company of , for a total consideration of €121 million on a cash and debt-free basis, with an equity value of €91.5 million. The deal encompassed 's publishing operations, including major intellectual properties such as the , , and series, as well as Koch Media's partner publishing and film divisions. THQ Nordic stated that no restructuring of Koch Media or was planned, allowing the acquired entity to continue operating independently while benefiting from synergies in development and global distribution. This acquisition immediately expanded THQ Nordic's portfolio to include five internal studios—such as Volition, , and —with over 1,000 developers across 16 external partners, enhancing the group's capacity for AAA titles. During the fiscal year 2018/19, Deep Silver's integration contributed significantly to 's growth, accounting for 32% of the group's net sales amid a surge from SEK 0.5 billion in 2017 to SEK 5.8 billion. Key releases under Deep Silver, such as in February 2019, marked the largest launch in the group's history, leveraging the label's established franchises and international offices in 13 countries for broader market reach. In May 2020, and Koch Media exchanged intellectual properties to optimize portfolios, with Deep Silver gaining rights to and Painkiller while ceding others like Risen. This period saw continued operational autonomy for Deep Silver, supported by 's resources for ongoing projects like . In August 2019, THQ Nordic's parent company proposed a rebranding to to better reflect its diversified holdings, a change approved at the annual general meeting and effective for trading on First North Growth Market starting October 2, 2019. Under the umbrella, Deep Silver maintained its role as a core publishing arm through 2021, culminating in the May 2021 announcement of reforming as a new studio to develop the next entry, incorporating key original team members from the defunct studio. This initiative underscored Deep Silver's focus on reviving legacy IPs, aligning with Embracer's strategy of leveraging acquired assets for new content without disrupting established workflows.

Rebranding and Recent Corporate Shifts (2022–Present)

In August 2022, Koch Media, the immediate parent company of Deep Silver, underwent a comprehensive rebranding to Plaion, unifying its global operations under a name derived from "play" to reflect its evolution in game publishing, development, and distribution while retaining Deep Silver as a core publishing label for AAA titles. This shift followed Embracer Group's 2018 acquisition of Koch Media for €121 million and aimed to consolidate brands like Deep Silver, Prime Matter, and Ravenscourt without altering Deep Silver's operational focus on franchises such as Metro and Saints Row. By May 2023, Plaion initiated internal restructuring, merging its publishing divisions—including Deep Silver—under a streamlined brand structure to reduce redundancies, which involved layoffs affecting dozens of staff across marketing, publishing, and support roles. This was part of broader cost-cutting at Embracer Group, triggered by the collapse of a $2 billion investment deal in June 2023, leading to over 900 layoffs company-wide by November 2023 and the cancellation of 80 unannounced projects by mid-2024. Specific impacts on Deep Silver included the August 2023 closure of Volition, its long-term studio partner responsible for the Saints Row series, citing unsustainable development costs after the 2022 reboot's underperformance. Additionally, Deep Silver Fishlabs, a mobile-focused studio under the label, cut approximately 50 positions in November 2023 amid Embracer's ongoing divestitures and efficiency drives. Embracer's transformations extended into 2024–2025, with the April 2024 announcement of a corporate split into three independent entities by year-end: Plaion and Deep Silver were integrated into the "Middle-earth Enterprises & Friends" group, emphasizing IP-driven publishing and development continuity for titles like Dead Island 2 (launched April 2023 under Deep Silver). By June 2025, Embracer's CEO Lars Wingefors transitioned to executive chair amid criticism of the restructuring's execution, which had reduced headcount by 27% (over 4,500 employees) since 2023, though Deep Silver maintained operations by prioritizing back-catalog sales and select new releases to stabilize revenue. These shifts reflected Embracer's pivot from aggressive acquisitions to fiscal prudence, preserving Deep Silver's role in mid-tier AAA publishing without further major divestitures reported as of October 2025.

Corporate Structure and Operations

Ownership and Parent Companies

Deep Silver operates as a publishing division and brand under Plaion GmbH, an Austrian media company headquartered in Höfen, , which oversees its video game publishing activities including major franchises like and . Plaion, formerly known as Koch Media, functions as the immediate parent entity, managing Deep Silver alongside other labels such as Prime Matter and Ravenscourt following internal mergers in 2023 to streamline publishing operations. Plaion itself is an operative group within , a based in that acquired Koch Media—the original parent of Deep Silver—on February 14, 2018, for approximately €121 million (equivalent to about $150 million at the time). This acquisition integrated Koch Media's assets, including Deep Silver, into what was then THQ Nordic AB (rebranded to Embracer Group in 2021), expanding Embracer's portfolio in premium game publishing. As of fiscal year 2024/2025, Embracer Group continues to report Plaion (encompassing Deep Silver) as one of its core operative groups, despite the company's 2024 announcement of a planned split into three standalone publicly listed entities to enhance strategic focus; Plaion is slated for inclusion in the "Middle-earth Enterprises & Friends" entity alongside assets like Dark Horse Media, with no divestiture of Deep Silver's operations indicated. This structure maintains Embracer's oversight, with Plaion's CEO role transitioning to Phil Rogers in January 2025 amid ongoing group leadership changes.

Internal Studios and Development Arms

Deep Silver operates a network of wholly owned internal development studios under its parent company , focusing on AAA titles across genres such as action, RPGs, and mobile games. These studios handle core development for key franchises like and contribute to projects published under the Deep Silver label. Deep Silver Dambuster Studios, based in , , was established on July 30, 2014, specifically to assume development of Homefront: The Revolution from UK after that project's handover. The studio, with a heritage tracing back over 20 years through predecessor teams, has since led work on , which entered development under their oversight in 2019 following transitions from external developers and . As of 2025, Dambuster employs around 100 staff and specializes in open-world action games, with ongoing support for zombie survival titles. Deep Silver Fishlabs, located in Hamburg, Germany, originated as an independent entity in 2004 before being acquired by Deep Silver and integrated as an internal studio. Known initially for mobile titles like the Galaxy on Fire series, Fishlabs shifted toward cross-platform development, contributing to Deep Silver's portfolio with free-to-play and premium games. The studio's expertise in mobile and PC optimization has supported franchise expansions, though specific recent project details remain tied to broader Plaion operations. Warhorse Studios, headquartered in Prague, Czech Republic, was acquired by Koch Media (Deep Silver's parent at the time) in 2019 and operates as an internal arm for historical RPG development. Founded in 2011 by former Kingdoms of Bohemia team members, it debuted with Kingdom Come: Deliverance in 2018, emphasizing realism in medieval simulation, and continued with its sequel Kingdom Come: Deliverance II slated for release in 2025. Warhorse's team of over 200 focuses on narrative-driven open-world experiences, leveraging proprietary engines for authenticity in combat and world-building.

Publishing Strategy and Global Reach

Deep Silver's publishing strategy emphasizes a hybrid model that integrates internal game development with global distribution of both proprietary and third-party titles, focusing on full-price games in genres such as , , and . This approach, articulated by company leadership in 2017, rests on three core pillars: producing and worldwide publishing of Deep Silver-branded franchises like and ; selective third-party publishing primarily in ; and leveraging parent company logistics for physical and digital dissemination. The strategy prioritizes simultaneous multi-platform releases across PC, consoles, and emerging markets, supported by data-driven marketing campaigns that incorporate influencer partnerships and consumer insights to maximize launch impact, as demonstrated in the 2023 rollout of . Under (formerly Koch Media), Deep Silver operates as one of several specialized labels in a multi-label framework, handling premium content while coordinating with units like Prime Matter for broader portfolio diversity. This structure enables targeted brand management, with Deep Silver retaining focus on established IPs through acquisitions and co-publishing deals, such as the 2016 global agreement for : Deliverance. Publishing decisions underscore risk assessment, including platform exclusivity evaluations, as confirmed in Embracer Group's 2019 endorsement of Deep Silver's operational framework amid integrations. Deep Silver's global reach is facilitated by Plaion's extensive network, with publishing operations spanning , , and through localized subsidiaries and offices. European activities center on key markets including , the , , , , , , and , where dedicated branches handle regional marketing, localization, and sales. In , a U.S. office—initially established as Deep Silver, Inc. and later rebranded under Koch Media—supports distribution. Expansion into includes new publishing outposts to bolster presence in high-growth territories, complemented by Australian operations, enabling comprehensive international logistics for physical retail, digital storefronts, and PR across continents. This footprint, headquartered in Höfen, , with a publishing hub in , , underpins worldwide title availability and adaptation to diverse regulatory and consumer landscapes.

Key Franchises and Published Titles

Metro Series

The Metro series consists of video games developed by , with Deep Silver serving as the primary publisher since 2013 following THQ's bankruptcy and asset acquisition. The franchise draws from Dmitry Glukhovsky's post-apocalyptic novel series set in the after a nuclear war, emphasizing , resource scarcity, and moral choices amid irradiated environments. Deep Silver's involvement has included re-releases, sequels, and expanded titles, contributing to the series' commercial longevity through enhanced editions and broader platform support. Deep Silver's first major release in the series was Metro: Last Light, launched on May 14, 2013, for Microsoft Windows, , and , as a direct to the 2010 THQ-published Metro 2033. In 2014, Deep Silver issued remastered versions titled Metro 2033 Redux and Metro: Last Light Redux on August 25, utilizing the for improved graphics, gameplay refinements, and next-generation console ports including and . These Redux editions bundled or sold separately, revitalizing interest and achieving strong sales, with the Redux titles collectively moving over 1.5 million units in their first year. The series peaked commercially with Metro Exodus, released on February 15, 2019, for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One, introducing semi-open-world exploration across Russia's post-apocalyptic landscapes while retaining linear storytelling and stealth-combat mechanics. Published by Deep Silver, Exodus sold over 6 million units by February 2022, surpassing 8.5 million by mid-2023 and reaching 10 million copies worldwide by February 2024, bolstered by expansions like The Two Colonels and Sam's Story DLCs released in 2020. Deep Silver's strategy included an initial Epic Games Store exclusivity for PC, which generated sales 2.5 times higher than Last Light's Steam performance in early weeks, despite backlash from some PC gamers. Deep Silver's partnership with , formalized through publishing deals and culminating in Embracer Group's 2020 acquisition of the studio, has ensured continuity in development, with Deep Silver retaining IP publishing rights even amid Embracer's 2024 divestitures. This collaboration has extended to spin-offs like Metro Awakening, a 2024 VR title, maintaining the franchise's focus on immersive, narrative-driven survival amid factional conflicts and threats. The series has garnered praise for its atmospheric tension and faithful adaptation of source material, though some critiques highlight repetitive combat and technical demands on hardware.

Saints Row Series

Deep Silver acquired the intellectual property rights to the Saints Row series from THQ's bankruptcy auction on January 23, 2013, alongside the Metro franchise and developer Volition for an undisclosed sum, enabling continued development under Koch Media ownership. This followed THQ's original publications of Saints Row (August 29, 2006), Saints Row 2 (August 25, 2008), and Saints Row: The Third (November 15, 2011), all developed by Volition as open-world action games centered on gang warfare and escalating absurdity in the fictional Stilwater and Steelport cities. The first title published by Deep Silver, , launched on August 20, 2013, for , , and Windows, expanding the series into with alien invasions and superpowers while retaining core mechanics like vehicle customization and co-op play. A standalone expansion, Saints Row: Gat out of Hell, followed on January 20, 2015, focusing on protagonist Johnny Gat's descent into hell, developed by Volition and . Deep Silver also oversaw remasters, including Saints Row: The Third Remastered in 2021, which updated visuals for modern consoles using alongside the original Havok physics. In August 2022, Deep Silver published a soft reboot of the series, simply titled , set in the new city of Santo Ileso and emphasizing startup gang-building with customizable protagonists and companions, developed by Volition for /5, /Series X/S, and Windows. The game sold approximately 1.7 million units by mid-2024, falling short of expectations for its reported development budget exceeding $100 million, amid technical bugs, repetitive missions, and criticism for toning down the series' satirical edge compared to prior entries. This underperformance contributed to Embracer Group's decision to close Volition in August 2023 after 30 years, folding remaining staff into other studios while affirming the IP's continuation under Deep Silver. Deep Silver's stewardship has maintained Saints Row as a mid-tier franchise, with expansions like the 2013 Enter the Dominatrix DLC for Saints Row IV and ongoing digital sales, though post-reboot updates have been limited and the series' future remains uncertain amid corporate restructuring.

Dead Island Series

The Dead Island series consists of open-world action role-playing games featuring zombie survival gameplay, with Deep Silver serving as the primary publisher across its entries. The franchise debuted with Dead Island, developed by Techland and released on September 6, 2011, for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360, setting records as Deep Silver's first title to top sales charts upon launch. This initial installment emphasized melee combat, crafting, and co-operative multiplayer on a tropical island overrun by zombies, contributing to the series' reputation for visceral, physics-based dismemberment mechanics. A standalone expansion, : Riptide, developed by and published by Deep Silver, followed on April 23, 2013, for the same platforms, expanding the narrative with additional survivors facing a larger-scale outbreak while incorporating improved flooding mechanics and vehicle elements. Deep Silver also oversaw the release of the top-down spin-off in 2014, developed by , which shifted to a stealth-focused isometric perspective but received mixed reception for its departure from the core formula. The original achieved significant commercial success, shipping over 2 million copies globally within months of release and reportedly surpassing 4 million units sold lifetime, establishing the franchise as a key asset for Deep Silver. Dead Island 2, the long-delayed sequel, underwent multiple development handovers under Deep Silver's oversight: initially assigned to in 2012 before shifting to and ultimately to Deep Silver-owned in 2019, with a release on April 21, 2023, for , Windows, and Series X/S. This entry returned to first-person melee combat in a quarantined , emphasizing gore via the F.L.E.S.H. system and supporting up to three-player co-op, while avoiding an in favor of zoned levels. It marked Deep Silver's largest launch in company history, selling over 1 million copies in its first three days and exceeding 2 million within the first month, eventually surpassing 10 million units sold by October 2024 following expansions like the Haus and SOLA Festival DLCs. Deep Silver's management of the series has prioritized iterative improvements in combat fidelity and co-op features, with exceeding internal sales expectations and revitalizing the IP after an eight-year development cycle marked by studio transitions. The publisher has expanded the franchise through post-launch content, including two-story expansions for that introduced new weapons, skills, and variants, sustaining player engagement across platforms. Overall, the series has generated substantial revenue for Deep Silver, with cumulative sales underscoring its enduring appeal in the zombie genre despite criticisms of repetitive quests and technical inconsistencies in earlier titles.

Other Notable Games and Acquisitions

Deep Silver co-published Kingdom Come: Deliverance, an developed by and set in 15th-century , which launched on February 13, 2018, for Microsoft Windows, , and . The title emphasized historical realism and first-person combat, achieving commercial success with over five million units sold by 2021. A , Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, is scheduled for release on February 4, 2025. In July 2014, Deep Silver acquired the Homefront intellectual property from Crytek amid the developer's financial difficulties, transferring development of Homefront: The Revolution to the newly formed Dambuster Studios, composed of former Crytek UK staff. The open-world shooter, depicting a resistance against North Korean occupation in Philadelphia, released on May 17, 2016, for multiple platforms but received mixed reviews for technical issues and gameplay execution. Deep Silver published , a turn-based tactical RPG developed by , on August 28, 2020, for Windows, , and , continuing the post-apocalyptic narrative from with cooperative multiplayer elements. In August 2020, Deep Silver released , the latest entry in the cooperative series developed by , focusing on heist mechanics and launching for Windows and consoles. On August 15, 2018, Deep Silver acquired the intellectual properties for the TimeSplitters series and Second Sight from Crytek, signaling potential revivals of these franchises known for fast-paced shooting and psychic abilities, respectively.

Business Practices and Industry Impact

Commercial Successes and Market Performance

Deep Silver has achieved notable commercial milestones through its publishing of mid-tier action, RPG, and survival titles, with several franchises exceeding multi-million unit sales. The Metro series, developed by 4A Games, has sold over 14 million units across its entries, driven by strong post-apocalyptic storytelling and first-person shooter mechanics. Metro Exodus alone reached 10 million copies sold worldwide by February 2024, marking a sustained performance five years post-launch. Similarly, Dead Island 2, released in April 2023, surpassed 2 million units sold, establishing it as Deep Silver's largest launch to date. The Kingdom Come: Deliverance franchise represents another high point, with the 2018 original exceeding 8 million copies sold by November 2024, bolstered by expansions and royal editions that extended its market longevity. Its sequel, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, achieved 1 million units sold within 24 hours of its February 2025 release and topped 2 million shortly thereafter, reflecting robust demand for historical RPGs despite development delays. These figures underscore Deep Silver's ability to capitalize on niche genres, contributing to parent company Plaion's (formerly Koch Media) pre-acquisition net sales of approximately 2.5 billion for the nine months ending December 2017. On , Deep Silver's portfolio has generated an estimated $812 million in lifetime revenue across dozens of titles, with average per-game earnings around $17 million, highlighting efficient in . Early successes like Metro: Last Light, which outsold its predecessor Metro 2033 in the U.S. within its first week in May 2013, demonstrated rapid commercial validation for sequels. Overall, these performances have positioned Deep Silver as a key revenue driver within post-2018 acquisition, though reliant on franchise continuity amid varying release quality.

Development Partnerships and Quality Control

Deep Silver frequently forms publishing partnerships with external development studios, leveraging their specialized expertise to produce titles that align with the publisher's strategic focus on action, survival, and open-world genres. One longstanding collaboration is with 4A Games, an independent Ukrainian studio, for the Metro franchise; Deep Silver assumed publishing rights following THQ's bankruptcy and handled distribution for Metro: Last Light in 2013, Metro Exodus in 2019, and subsequent expansions, providing financial backing and global marketing while 4A Games managed core development using its proprietary 4A Engine. Similarly, Deep Silver partnered with Polish studio Techland to publish the original Dead Island in September 2011, a zombie survival game that sold over 5 million copies by 2012, with Techland handling all development aspects from design to programming. These arrangements allow Deep Silver to mitigate risks by outsourcing creative leads to experienced teams, often retaining IP rights for sequels or expansions. More recent examples include Deep Silver's co-development deal with for : Dawn of War IV, announced on August 19, 2025, where the German studio leads production on the title under Deep Silver's publishing oversight. In mobile gaming, Deep Silver —a Hamburg-based internal studio—has collaborated with external firms like Canada's Hibernum Créations on unannounced projects since 2015, marking multiple such partnerships that year to enhance titles with additional features and ports. Such partnerships extend to project acquisitions, as seen when Deep Silver took over Homefront: The Revolution from in 2014, reassigning it to its newly acquired for completion and release in 2016. Regarding quality control, Deep Silver oversees assurance processes through its parent company Plaion's dedicated QA department, which conducts testing across owned studios and partner projects to ensure platform certification, bug mitigation, and performance standards before launch. Internal teams, such as those at Deep Silver , employ specialized QA directors and analysts who perform , compatibility checks, and data validation, often integrating tools for automated bug tracking during production cycles. For external partnerships, Deep Silver coordinates build reviews and certification pipelines, as evidenced by post-launch patches for titles like in 2023, which addressed player-reported glitches in zombie AI and physics following input from QA and community feedback. However, reliance on partner studios for primary development can introduce variability, with some releases requiring extensive day-one updates to resolve launch-day technical shortcomings, reflecting the challenges of distributed workflows in AAA publishing.

Reception Among Developers and Consumers

Developers working with Deep Silver have frequently cited frustrations over creative interference, rushed timelines, and resource constraints imposed by the publisher. In the development of Saints Row (2022), an anonymous Volition developer described the project as "half-cooked" due to poor management and lack of communication from higher-ups, including Deep Silver-mandated cuts to features like human shields (deemed too violent despite the game's M rating), customizable cribs, go-kart racing, a portable woodchipper weapon, and an entire "Proclamations" system that was only partially completed before scrapping. These interventions, alongside engine limitations and executive decisions to tone down niche or controversial elements, contributed to a final product that deviated from fan expectations and led to Volition's eventual restructuring under Embracer Group. Similarly, during Metro Exodus (2019), 4A Games developers publicly expressed disappointment with Deep Silver's decision to pursue Epic Games Store exclusivity for the PC version, viewing it as a betrayal of the series' PC-centric audience and prompting backlash against the publisher's commercial priorities over developer and community input. Deep Silver responded by acknowledging the individual's passion but defending the move as necessary for the franchise's future, highlighting tensions in publisher-developer dynamics. Consumer reception of Deep Silver's portfolio has been uneven, with acclaim for atmospheric titles like the Metro series contrasting sharply against criticism of reboots and acquired properties perceived as mismanaged. Metro Exodus earned a Metacritic critic score of 82/100 across platforms, praised for its immersive storytelling and survival mechanics, though user scores dipped to around 7.4/10 amid exclusivity controversies. Dead Island 2 (2023) similarly received warm fan feedback for prioritizing visceral combat over narrative complexity, succeeding where earlier iterations faltered under prolonged development shifts. In contrast, the Saints Row reboot polarized audiences, with Embracer Group CEO Lars Wingefors admitting it "left fans partially polarised" and failed to meet expectations, resulting in user scores as low as 3.7/10 on Metacritic and widespread backlash over diluted humor, underdeveloped characters, and abandonment of the series' irreverent identity in favor of broader appeal. Earlier efforts like Homefront: The Revolution (2016) also drew ire for technical issues and premature launch, underscoring patterns of consumer discontent with perceived quality lapses tied to aggressive publishing schedules. Overall, while core franchises retain dedicated followings, recent missteps have eroded trust, with sales data reflecting underperformance—such as Saints Row's contribution to Volition's closure announcement in 2023—amid calls for better alignment between publisher strategy and audience preferences.

Controversies and Criticisms

Rushed Releases and Technical Issues

The 2022 reboot of , published by Deep Silver and developed by Volition, launched on August 23, 2022, amid significant technical problems that critics and players attributed to insufficient polish and a rushed development cycle. Common issues included frequent crashes, mission progression bugs preventing advancement, imprecise aiming mechanics, and animation glitches, which marred core gameplay experiences from the outset. These flaws contributed to a score of 60/100 on PC and prompted Volition to release a "Bright Future" update on November 7, 2022, addressing over 200 bugs alongside gameplay tweaks. Retrospective analyses have described the title as "unfinished" and "riddled with bugs," with disjointed systems exacerbating the perception of inadequate testing under publisher oversight. Homefront: The Revolution (2016), another Deep Silver-published title developed by , faced a notoriously troubled launch on May 17, 2016 (PC), with pervasive optimization failures, drops, pathfinding errors, and pop-in that rendered the open-world unplayable for many users. Deep Silver publicly conceded the release was premature, citing external pressures that prioritized market timing over refinement, leading to day-one patches and ongoing support that failed to fully salvage its reputation. The game's technical instability, compounded by console-specific crashes, resulted in refund demands and a peak concurrent player count under 1,000 on shortly after launch. Earlier releases like (2011) also drew complaints for launch-day glitches, including physics exploits causing dismemberment animations to malfunction and frequent save corruption, though these were partially mitigated by post-launch fixes. Such patterns across Deep Silver's portfolio have fueled developer anecdotes of tight deadlines imposed by the publisher, prioritizing revenue cycles over stability, as echoed in industry forums where former staff highlighted bottlenecks. Despite these issues, not all titles suffered equally, with delays in projects like (2023) allowing for improved technical readiness after early negative feedback.

Franchise Management Decisions

Deep Silver's oversight of the franchise culminated in the approval of a 2022 reboot by Volition, which shifted the series toward a focused on younger protagonists building a criminal empire from scratch, diverging from the established over-the-top, satirical tone of prior entries. This decision, influenced by internal directives to appeal to a broader demographic, contributed to the game's critical and commercial shortfall, with sales failing to meet projections shortly after its August 23, 2022 release. In response, , Deep Silver's parent, shuttered Volition on August 31, 2023, after 30 years of operation, citing restructuring needs amid broader financial pressures but amid fan accusations that publisher-mandated changes eroded the IP's core appeal. Deep Silver affirmed the franchise's continuation under new developers, retaining IPs like and , though no subsequent titles have materialized as of 2025. In managing the Dead Island series, Deep Silver canceled development with Yager in July 2015 after less than two years, citing irreconcilable visions for , which had entered in 2014. The project then passed to before shifting to Deep Silver's in-house in 2021, extending the timeline to an April 21, 2023 launch—eight years after announcement. Former Deep Silver communications head Jennifer Vincent defended the restarts, stating the Yager prototype "would have killed the franchise" due to subpar quality, a view supported by the final game's stronger reception and sales exceeding 4 million units by mid-2024. Critics, however, highlighted the delays as symptomatic of indecisive oversight, risking fan disengagement despite averting a potential flop. For the Metro series, Deep Silver maintained continuity by contracting for ongoing development post- (2019), including Metro Awakening VR in 2024, without major studio upheavals. A notable controversy arose from the 2019 decision to pull Exodus from in favor of exclusivity, prompted by a revenue-sharing deal, which sparked backlash over pre-order refunds and perceived anti-consumer priorities; Deep Silver's owner publicly distanced itself, calling the removal unfair to Steam users. This move, while financially motivated, underscored tensions in franchise distribution strategies amid platform wars, though it did not derail the series' trajectory.

Corporate Interventions in Creative Processes

Former developers at Volition have alleged that Deep Silver and parent company exerted substantial influence over the creative direction of the 2022 Saints Row , transforming an initial concept into a full restart. Conceived around as Saints Row Cinco—a narrative bridging Saints Row: The Third (2011) and Saints Row IV (2013) with returning characters and a grittier tone— the project underwent eight story revisions after 's 2018 acquisition of Deep Silver (then under Koch Media), culminating in rejection of pitches involving the Boss's mother and rival John Blende as antagonist in favor of a centered on millennial entrepreneurs founding the Saints gang from scratch. These interventions extended to gameplay and content moderation, with Deep Silver mandating cuts to features like human shields— a staple mechanic from prior entries allowing players to use civilians as cover—and a woodchipper execution tool, citing excessive violence despite the game's M rating and the series' established emphasis on gore and absurdity. Side content ambitions, such as hidden gold caches in forts for deeper exploration, were similarly curtailed into streamlined "Hidden History" objectives to conserve resources, per anonymous Volition staff accounts from 2019 studio visits. Dialogue revisions further altered the game's irreverent voice, as Deep Silver prohibited lines like the protagonist calling associate Gwen a "" during a heated rant—deemed misogynistic in gang-context banter—replacing it with a compromise on "balls" that was later patched out post-launch due to backlash. The "Proclamations" system, enabling custom NPC voice recordings for notoriety missions, was largely scrapped after only five variants were completed, ostensibly to preempt controversy. Developers described the process as yielding "half-cooked" elements amid poor internal communication and mid-development pivots, diluting the over-the-top fans expected. Such publisher-driven shifts, aimed at controversy avoidance and wider appeal, have been blamed for the reboot's tonal inconsistencies and commercial underperformance—selling under 2 million units against a reported threshold of that figure—contributing to Volition's closure by (THQ Nordic's parent post-2021 merger) on August 31, 2023, amid broader restructuring. In Dead Island 2's protracted development, Deep Silver's creative disagreements with original developer prompted the studio's 2015 dismissal after a 2014 reveal trailer, followed by an internal and handover to in 2016 (later in 2018), resulting in an eight-year delay from announcement to April 2023 release. A former Deep Silver communications executive defended the overhauls, stating the early Yager version "had nothing to do with what made the original really fun" and risked franchise termination, though critics attribute the turbulence to publisher inflexibility on vision.

References

  1. [1]
    Our Story - PLAION
    Starting 1996, we added video game distribution to our repertoire, and in 2002, we established our own game publishing division Deep Silver – home of beloved ...
  2. [2]
    THQ Nordic acquires Koch Media GmbH - Embracer Group
    Feb 14, 2018 · THQ Nordic has entered into an agreement to acquire Koch Media GmbH, including, inter alia, the games developer and publisher Deep Silver.
  3. [3]
    Deep Silver
    Deep Silver is the home of captivating gaming worlds from the gripping post-apocalypse of Metro, to the twisted paradises of Dead Island to the authentic ...
  4. [4]
    [PDF] Annual Report 2024/2025 ENG - Embracer Group
    Jun 19, 2025 · Studios and published by Deep Silver, was successfully released on 4 February. The game has maintained a highly positive player and critic ...
  5. [5]
    Embracer Group acquires 4A Games
    Aug 13, 2020 · ... Deep Silver. Through the acquisition, Saber Interactive onboards a ... Conceived in 2005 when the studio was first established, the 4A Games' ...
  6. [6]
    Former Deep Silver comms boss says Dead Island 2 released 8 ...
    Jul 15, 2025 · ... Deep Silver junked the early version of Dead Island 2. "We could have ... controversies for more than 200 years, was completed Thursday.
  7. [7]
    Deep Silver - VGC
    Deep Silver is a games publishing label owned by Koch Media. It is best known for publishing the Saints Row series, Dead Island series and many other ...
  8. [8]
    Deep Silver & Stormregion Unite | GamesIndustry.biz
    Deep Silver and ... It was established in 2002 with the goal of publishing games for gamers. ... KOCH Media, founded in 1994 by Franz Koch and ...
  9. [9]
    Koch Media - Audiovisual Identity Database
    Sep 5, 2025 · The company was founded in 1994 by Franz Koch and Klemens Kundratitz. The company operates video game publishing labels Deep Silver, Prime ...<|separator|>
  10. [10]
    Deep Silver parent company Koch Media opens two publishing ...
    Koch Media has established two new publishing offices in Asia to expand its global footprint. The German-Austrian media company is the parent company of ...
  11. [11]
    Game Companies - Deep Silver - GameFAQs
    Developed and Published Games ; PC, Advanced Battlegrounds: The Future of Combat, 09/23/2004, Europe ; PC, The Fall: Last Days of Gaia, 11/15/2004, North America.
  12. [12]
    Rush for Berlin | GamesIndustry.biz
    Apr 28, 2006 · About Deep Silver Deep Silver is KOCH Media's Premium Games Label. It was established in 2002 with the goal of publishing games for gamers.
  13. [13]
    Gothic 3 - More Than 500,000 Units Worldwide Sold
    Mar 9, 2007 · About Deep Silver. Deep Silver is KOCH Media's Premium Games Label. It was established in 2002 with the goal of publishing games for gamers.
  14. [14]
    Koch Media in North America - GamesIndustry.biz
    Apr 30, 2008 · In 2007, Deep Silver Vienna was founded as the first own development studio; the focus is clearly on own brands and multi-platform products ...
  15. [15]
    Piranha Bytes and Deep Silver come together | GamesIndustry.biz
    Basingstoke, 18-06-2007 - The German development team Piranha Bytes and Koch Media's premium games label Deep Silver wi ... (2002), "Gothic - Night of the Raven" ( ...
  16. [16]
    THQ Dissolved, Saints Row, Company of Heroes Devs Acquired - IGN
    Jan 23, 2013 · Koch Media (owner of Dead Island publisher Deep Silver) has agreed to purchase Saints Row developer Volition as well as the publishing rights to ...
  17. [17]
    Deep Silver confirms acquisition of Saints Row, Metro and Volition
    Jan 23, 2013 · Koch Media/Deep Silver officially announced today it has secured the intellectual property rights for two THQ franchises: Saints Row and Metro.Missing: details | Show results with:details
  18. [18]
    THQ dissolved, assets split apart - USA Today
    Jan 23, 2013 · for $22.3 million by Koch Media, the company that owns Dead Island publisher Deep Silver. The company also snagged the rights to the soon-to ...Missing: details | Show results with:details
  19. [19]
    Deep Silver GmbH | Mitchell Van Morgan Wiki - Fandom
    Deep Silver is the European publishing division of Koch Media for full price games, operating in Germany, UK, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, France, and Spain.
  20. [20]
    Koch Media acquires Galaxy on Fire dev Fishlabs | PocketGamer.biz
    Dec 2, 2013 · Austrian-based media outlet Koch Media has announced the acquisition of German developer Fishlabs and all of its assets.
  21. [21]
    Koch Media acquires mobile developer Fishlabs - Yahoo! Tech
    Koch Media – meaning Saints Row publisher Deep Silver – now owns mobile developer Fishlabs, the studio behind the Galaxy on Fire series.
  22. [22]
    Exclusive: Deep Silver on how Fishlabs will bloom in its embrace
    Feb 10, 2014 · ... acquisition of Fishlabs Entertainment in late 2013. We believe Fishlabs to be an ideal match for us, because both Fishlabs and Deep Silver ...
  23. [23]
    THQ's Assets Are Divided, Deep Silver Snatches Saints Row
    Jan 23, 2013 · THQ's Assets Are Divided, Deep Silver Snatches Saints Row · $500K Homefront (Crytek) · $26M for Relic (Sega) · $2.5M for THQ Montreal (Ubisoft) ...
  24. [24]
    Deep Silver Volition, LLC - MobyGames
    Company acquired by Koch Media for US$ 22.3 million, along with the Saints Row IP, from the THQ bankruptcy sale. August 31, 2000. Volition is acquired by THQ, ...Missing: expansion | Show results with:expansion
  25. [25]
    [PDF] ANNUAL REPORT 2018/19 - Embracer Group
    Aug 26, 2019 · Deep Silver possesses five development studios of its own. INHOUSE STUDIOS. STUDIOS ACQUIRED 2018. 32% share of Group net sales. Page 23. THQ ...
  26. [26]
    THQ Nordic and Koch Media trade IPs - GamesIndustry.biz
    May 5, 2020 · THQ Nordic today announced that it has transferred rights to Red Faction and Painkiller to Koch Media, receiving Risen, Sacred, Rush for Berlin ...Missing: integration 2018-2021
  27. [27]
    Renaming to Embracer Group and share split to take effect at ...
    Oct 1, 2019 · As of tomorrow, October 2, 2019, the THQ Nordic-share will be traded under the new name Embracer Group (EMBRAC).
  28. [28]
    Deep Silver announces reformation of Free Radical Design to ...
    May 20, 2021 · Deep Silver announces reformation of Free Radical Design to develop next TimeSplitters game. Development to begin in "the coming months." Sal ...
  29. [29]
    TimeSplitters Studio Free Radical Reforms to Make a New Entry at ...
    May 19, 2021 · Deep Silver announced today that a number of "key original members" of Free Radical Design have joined together to reform the studio under ...
  30. [30]
    Saints Row publisher Koch Media now called Plaion after rebranding
    Aug 4, 2022 · Koch Media, the parent of Saints Row publisher Deep Silver, rebranded itself to Plaion on Aug. 4.
  31. [31]
    Koch Media rebrands as Plaion to "acknowledge who we truly are"
    Aug 4, 2022 · As of today, Koch Media is no more. Instead, the company will now go by a new moniker: Plaion. The 28-year-old games publisher unveiled its ...
  32. [32]
    Koch Media rebrands as Plaion as it continues to expand under ...
    Aug 4, 2022 · The news comes over four years after Koch, which owns Saints Row publisher Deep Silver, was acquired by Embracer Group (then THQ Nordic) for ...
  33. [33]
    Deep Silver Parent Company Restructuring, Layoffs Coming - Report
    May 5, 2023 · Plaion was previously known as Koch Media, which rebranded to its current name in August 2022. Deep Silver is known for games such as Dead ...
  34. [34]
    Embracer to Close Studios, Cancel Games, and Lay Off Staff ... - IGN
    Jun 13, 2023 · Embracer Group has announced plans to close studios, cancel games, and lay staff off just weeks after a $2 billion contract deal fell through.
  35. [35]
    Saints Row studio Volition abruptly closes due to restructuring at ...
    Aug 31, 2023 · Embracer said in June that layoffs and studio closures were on the way as part of the restructuring plan. The company, which spent several years ...Missing: impact | Show results with:impact
  36. [36]
    New victims of Embracer's restructuring: 50 Fishlabs employees to ...
    Nov 29, 2023 · According to its latest financial report, Embracer Group has laid off over 900 people since its restructuring program started in June. With the ...
  37. [37]
    Embracer Group to split into three public companies: how studios ...
    Apr 22, 2024 · Embracer Group has announced a new transformative move. The Swedish holding company will now split into three standalone public entities.Missing: shifts | Show results with:shifts
  38. [38]
    Embracer Group CEO steps down following years of mass layoffs ...
    Rating 5.0 · Review by GoogleJun 11, 2025 · Embracer Group CEO Lars Wingefors has announced he is stepping down from his role, but will remain with the company as an executive chair of the ...
  39. [39]
    Embracer cut ties with more than 4,500 employees and cancelled 80 ...
    May 23, 2024 · Embracer cut ties with more than 4,500 employees and cancelled 80 projects over the past year. The company reduced its headcount by 27 percent ...<|separator|>
  40. [40]
    Embracer leans on back catalogue as game delays shake industry ...
    May 22, 2025 · Tomb Raider owner Embracer (EMBRACb.ST) is leaning on its back catalogue to maintain cash flow while fewer AAA games are being released.
  41. [41]
    PLAION - Embracer Group
    Aug 16, 2022 · PLAION has a family of 11 development studios based around the world and five games publishing labels: Deep Silver, Prime Matter, Ravenscourt, ...Missing: current | Show results with:current
  42. [42]
    Plaion is restructuring, layoffs planned - GamesIndustry.biz
    May 5, 2023 · Plaion is restructuring, layoffs planned. Publisher formerly known as Koch Media will merge Deep Silver, Prime Matter and Ravenscourt under ...Missing: divestiture | Show results with:divestiture
  43. [43]
    PLAION is merging Deep Silver, Prime Matter, and Ravenscourt to ...
    May 5, 2023 · Publishing giant PLAION is set to merge several of their core subsidiaries into one brand, news confirmed via internal documents.
  44. [44]
    THQ Nordic Acquires Koch Media, Parent Company of Deep Silver
    Feb 14, 2018 · THQ Nordic has announced they've wholly acquired Koch Media, the parent company of Deep Silver. Here's a rundown on Koch Media, via the press release.
  45. [45]
    THQ Nordic Acquires Deep Silver Owner Koch Media In $150 ...
    Feb 14, 2018 · Publisher THQ Nordic is set to acquire Koch Media in a deal understood to be worth €121 million ($149.6 million).<|separator|>
  46. [46]
    Embracer Group announces its intention to transform into three ...
    Apr 22, 2024 · The three entities will be separate, publicly listed companies, enabling each entity to better focus on their respective core strategies.
  47. [47]
    CEO and Co-Founder Klemens Kundratitz Announces New Role ...
    Jan 8, 2025 · JANUARY 2025. Phil Rogers, Deputy CEO of Embracer Group, named as new CEO. 29. JULY 2024. Skydance Games x PLAION Worldwide Game Publishing ...
  48. [48]
    Development Commencing on next TimeSplitters ; Deep Silver ...
    May 20, 2021 · (May 19, 2021) - Today Deep Silver announces the formation of a new studio that will bring the much-loved TimeSplitters brand back to life. Key ...Missing: announcement | Show results with:announcement
  49. [49]
    Dambuster Studios: Home
    Dambuster Studios is a game studio located in the heart of Nottingham ... Dambuster Studios Ltd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of PLAION GmbH, Austria.About · Careers · News
  50. [50]
    PLAION
    Based in Nottingham, UK, Deep Silver Dambuster Studios has been making memorable AAA titles with a heritage spanning more than 20 years. Popular Titles.
  51. [51]
    Inside Yager Development's Failed Attempt To Make Dead Island 2
    Jun 20, 2023 · Dambuster Studio replaced it, coincidentally set up in 2014 by Deep Silver to take over the development of Homefront: The Revolution from Crytek ...Missing: arms | Show results with:arms
  52. [52]
    Fishlabs | Dead Island Wiki | Fandom
    Koch Media (now more commonly known as Plaion), acquired the company and reorganized it under Deep Silver, with Fishlabs becoming an internal studio. They ...
  53. [53]
    Deep Silver CEO Details The Benefits Of Having A Hybrid Business
    Mar 15, 2017 · Founded in 1994, the German-based Koch Media created a thriving publishing business with partners long before it started its own Deep Silver ...
  54. [54]
    Increasing the impact of Dead Island 2's launch campaign ... - Newzoo
    Jun 25, 2024 · Deep Silver addressed critical questions to boost the reach and impact of release campaign activity. The publisher worked with Newzoo's Consumer Insights team ...
  55. [55]
    PLAION
    PLAION runs a multi-label strategy with fully-owned publishing units including Deep Silver, Prime Matter, Milestone, Vertigo Games and Ravenscourt, publishing ...Missing: presence | Show results with:presence
  56. [56]
    Warhorse Studios Signs Global Co-Publishing Deal for 'Kingdom ...
    Sep 29, 2016 · We at Warhorse Studios are happy to announce a collaboration with Deep Silver, the publishing label of Koch Media, to publish Kingdom Come: Deliverance.
  57. [57]
    THQ Nordic AB confirms Deep Silver publishing strategy
    Jan 30, 2019 · THQ Nordic AB (publ) is the Swedish parent company listed on the Stockholm Stock exchange that owns three independently operating sub-groups;.Missing: history | Show results with:history
  58. [58]
    About Koch Media - PLAION Press Server
    The Koch Media Group owns nine game development studios: Deep Silver Volition (Champaign, IL / USA), Deep Silver Dambuster Studios (Nottingham / UK), Deep ...Missing: establishment | Show results with:establishment
  59. [59]
    Plaion - Wikipedia
    The same year, Koch Media srl was formed as a regional subsidiary for Italy. In 2002, Koch Media established Deep Silver as a video game publishing ...
  60. [60]
    Metro: Last Light set for May 14 release by new publisher | Shacknews
    Mar 1, 2013 · New publisher Deep Silver today announced that it'll arrive on May 14 after a little extra work, back a bit from the planned March launch. 4A ...
  61. [61]
    Metro: Last Light Release Information for Xbox 360 - GameFAQs
    Rating 82% (71) Metro: Last Light – Release Details ; Genre: Action » Shooter » First-Person » Arcade ; Developer: 4A Games ; Publisher: Deep Silver ; Release: May 14, 2013.
  62. [62]
    Metro 2033 Redux on Steam
    $$19.99 Rating 4.5 (25,548) Title: Metro 2033 Redux Genre: Action. Developer: 4A Games. Publisher: Deep Silver. Franchise: Metro. Release Date: Aug 25, 2014. READ MORE. Is this game ...
  63. [63]
    Metro Exodus sold ~700 000 copies after whole year while Redux ...
    Feb 17, 2020 · Metro Exodus sold ~700 000 copies after whole year while Redux versions sold 1.5 million copies in the same time.Metro Exodus has sold 6 million units since its launch in February ...Metro Exodus has sold over six million units since launch : r/GamesMore results from www.reddit.com
  64. [64]
    Metro Exodus - Deep Silver
    Metro Exodus is an epic, story-driven first person shooter from 4A Games that blends deadly combat and stealth with exploration and survival horror in one ...
  65. [65]
    Metro Exodus hits 10 million copies sold - Game Developer
    Feb 15, 2024 · 4A Games celebrated Metro Exodus' fifth birthday on Twitter by revealing the game has sold over 10 million copies worldwide.
  66. [66]
    Metro Exodus Has Sold Over 6 Million Units - GamingBolt
    Feb 17, 2022 · 4A Games' post-apocalyptic first person shooter has sold over 6 million units, Embracer Group has confirmed in a recent fiscal report.
  67. [67]
    Metro Exodus' Epic Store Sales Are Already Over Double That ... - IGN
    Mar 21, 2019 · Sales of Deep Silver's Metro Exodus are already 2.5 times that of the previous Metro title, indicating that the store exclusivity has had ...
  68. [68]
    Deep Silver and 4A Games issue an official statement ... - DSOGaming
    Feb 3, 2019 · Our decision to partner with Epic Games was based on the goal of investing in the future of the series and our development partner at 4A Games.
  69. [69]
    Metro Exodus has sold 6 million copies in three years
    Post-apocalyptic first-person shooter Metro Exodus has amassed 6 million sales in three years. 4A Games' threequel, based on the popular Metro series of novels.
  70. [70]
    Saints Row (series) | THQ Wiki - Fandom
    Publisher(s). THQ (2006–2013) Deep Silver (2013–present) ; Creator(s). Volition ; Platforms. Xbox 360. Xbox One PlayStation 3 PlayStation 4. Microsoft Windows
  71. [71]
    Deep Silver and Sperasoft expands Saints Row®: The Third ...
    Jun 15, 2021 · Saints Row: The Third is an open-world, third-person action-adventure game, developed by Deep Silver Volition and originally published in 2011 ...Missing: history | Show results with:history<|separator|>
  72. [72]
    Saints Row - Deep Silver
    Deep Silver is the home of captivating gaming worlds from the gripping post-apocalypse of Metro, to the twisted paradises of Dead Island to the authentic ...
  73. [73]
    Saints Row for Series - Sales, Wiki, Release Dates, Review, Cheats ...
    May 15, 2024 · Report: Saints Row (2022) Sold 1.7 Million Units · Saints Row Reboot Gameplay Overview Trailer Released · Saints Row (2022) Hands-Off Preview - ...
  74. [74]
    Saints Row reboot developer "didn't know what they were building ...
    Mar 18, 2025 · 2022's Volition-developed Saints Row reboot was met with disappointing critical and commercial reception.Following its release, Embracer ...
  75. [75]
    THQ Nordic acquires Deep Silver, meaning Saints Row is back at THQ
    Feb 14, 2018 · THQ Nordic announced today that it has acquired Koch Media, the parent company of video game publisher Deep Silver, in a deal worth €121 ...Missing: assets details
  76. [76]
    Dead Island Ships 2 Million Copies Globally - IMDb
    Since release, Dead Island has shipped 2 million copies globally, according to a recent press release from Deep Silver. For those that enjoyed the game, ...
  77. [77]
    Is DEAD ISLAND 3 Happening? Here's What We Know - Fangoria
    Sep 10, 2025 · However, official sales figures put the number at over 4 million copies. ... Dead Island 2 (Credit: Deep Silver).
  78. [78]
    DEAD ISLAND 2 GLOBAL SALES SURPASS 1 MILLION
    Apr 24, 2023 · More than 1 million – copies of Dead Island 2 sold in first weekend · 11 million – total hours played · 28 million – total number of player deaths ...
  79. [79]
    Dead Island 2 breaks 2 million sales, is now 'the biggest launch' in ...
    May 24, 2023 · Dead Island 2 breaks 2 million sales, is now 'the biggest launch' in Deep Silver's history | PC Gamer.
  80. [80]
    Dead Island 2 Sales Reach Colossal Milestone - Hardcore Gamer
    Oct 25, 2024 · Deep Silver announced on Friday that Dead Island 2 has sold over 10 million copies. This comes after the release of the Dead Island 2 Ultimate Edition.
  81. [81]
    How Dambuster finally brought Dead Island 2 over the finish line
    Apr 21, 2023 · The reins were then handed to UK developer Sumo Digital, and later passed to Deep Silver-owned Dambuster Studios – famously formed from the ...<|separator|>
  82. [82]
    Dead Island 2 exceeds internal expectations after topping 2 million ...
    May 24, 2023 · Dead Island 2 has sold over 2 million copies worldwide since launching on April 21, 2023. The long-gestating sequel had already topped 1 million sales in three ...
  83. [83]
    Kingdom Come: Deliverance on Steam
    Developer. Warhorse Studios ; Publisher. Warhorse Studios, Deep Silver ; Released. Feb 13, 2018.
  84. [84]
    Deep Silver, Warhorse Studios to Co-Publish Kingdom Come - IGN
    Sep 29, 2016 · Deep Silver will co-publish the title alongside the Czech-based indie game studio, with plans to launch the game sometime in 2017.<|separator|>
  85. [85]
    Kingdom Come: Deliverance Wiki - Fandom
    ... published by Deep Silver. The game was released on 13 February 2018 for ... The sequel, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, was released on 4 February 2025.
  86. [86]
    Deep Silver buys Homefront from Crytek, moves Homefront - Polygon
    Jul 30, 2014 · Deep Silver has acquired the Homefront intellectual property from Crytek, and Homefront: The Revolution is now being developed at a new ...
  87. [87]
    Deep Silver Takes Over Development of Homefront: The Revolution
    Jul 30, 2014 · Deep Silver has announced it's acquired all rights to the Homefront franchise from Crytek, and will now be in charge of development of the ...
  88. [88]
    WASTELAND 3 - Deep Silver
    Wasteland 3 is set in frozen Colorado with tactical turn-based combat, deep squad customization, and a story-driven single or co-op experience.Missing: notable titles Biomutant
  89. [89]
    Deep Silver Published Games - Giant Bomb
    Published Games · Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV · Kingdom Come: Deliverance II · Metro Awakening · Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged · Payday 3 · Dead Island 2.
  90. [90]
    Deep Silver Acquires 'TimeSplitters,' 'Second Sight' IP - Variety
    Aug 15, 2018 · Deep Silver has acquired the rights to the "TimeSplitters" and "Second Sight" video game franchises. New projects are likely on the way.Missing: expansions 2014-2017
  91. [91]
    How many copies did Metro sell? — 2025 statistics - LEVVVEL
    Jun 16, 2023 · The Metro series sales reached 14.7 million units. · The Metro series has grossed over $166.7 million on Steam. · THQ reached $163 million in ...
  92. [92]
    OVER EIGHT MILLION COPIES OF KINGDOM COME
    Nov 4, 2024 · OVER EIGHT MILLION COPIES OF KINGDOM COME: DELIVERANCE SOLD. Kingdom Come: Deliverance II dev-stream and live action series out this week. 17:00 ...
  93. [93]
    Kingdom Come: Deliverance II sales top two million - Gematsu
    Feb 17, 2025 · Total sales for Kingdom Come: Deliverance II have surpassed two million units, publisher Deep Silver and developer Warhorse Studios announced.
  94. [94]
    Deep Silver Steam stats – Video Game Insights - Sensor Tower
    Name: Deep Silver ; Published Games: 49 (2 in development) ; First Game Published: Sep 18, 2001 ; Last Game Published: Sep 2, 2025 ; Total Lifetime Revenue: $810.3m.
  95. [95]
    Deep Silver | GamesIndustry.biz
    Metro: Last Light first-week sales surpass 2033 lifetime sales in US. Deep Silver finds great success in 4A Games' dystopian title. May 31, 2013 Mike Williams.
  96. [96]
    THQ Nordic posts 673% revenue increase following acquisition of ...
    May 16, 2018 · Driven by the acquisition of Koch Media in February, THQ Nordic has posted a year-on-year net sales increase of 673 per cent for Q1 2018.<|separator|>
  97. [97]
    Dawn of War IV Announced - KING Art Games
    Aug 19, 2025 · KING Art Games is developing the fourth installment of the legendary RTS series “Dawn of War” in collaboration with Deep Silver!Missing: external | Show results with:external
  98. [98]
    Deep Silver FISHLABS Signs Deal with Hibernum for Unannounced ...
    Oct 21, 2015 · The partnership with Hibernum marks the 6th collaboration with an external studio for Deep Silver FISHLABS in 2015. Earlier, contracts have ...
  99. [99]
    Homefront: The Revolution devs to move to Deep Silver as Crytek ...
    Jul 30, 2014 · Crytek is looking into implementing "a closer collaboration" between its two Asian studios, Crytek Shanghai and Crytek Seoul. "We would like ...Missing: external | Show results with:external
  100. [100]
    gaming - PLAION
    The Quality Assurance (QA) department has a wide-ranging role - encompassing ... PLAION owns 10 game development studios: Deep Silver Volition, Deep Silver ...
  101. [101]
    Paul Ellis - Quality Assurance Director at DeepSilver Dambuster ...
    Quality Assurance Director at DeepSilver Dambuster Studios · Experience: Deep Silver Dambuster Studios · Location: Nottingham · 244 connections on LinkedIn.
  102. [102]
    Dead Island 2 - Deep Silver
    Jul 24, 2025 · Dead Island 2 is stylish, vibrant and flooded with zombie infection. Explore iconic, gore-drenched Los Angeles. Meet larger-than-life characters ...Patch 6 · Ultimate Edition · Haus · English (UK & I)
  103. [103]
    "Boy, that game sucked": Notorious Dead Island 2 delay lasted ...
    Jul 14, 2025 · A former Deep Silver lead suggests Dead Island 2 could have at least partly avoided its notorious 12-year delay if it weren't for trouble with its earliest ...
  104. [104]
    'Saints Row' Dev Says Reboot Disaster Caused By Poor ...
    Sep 11, 2025 · A YouTuber has revealed a plethora of cut features and gameplay mechanics and the troubled development of 2022's Saints Row.
  105. [105]
    Deep Silver Responds to 4A Games Developer's Statement on ...
    Feb 4, 2019 · The future release strategy of the Metro series lies with Koch Media / Deep Silver. Our decision to partner with Epic Games was based on the ...
  106. [106]
    Deep Silver Responds To Disgruntled Metro Developer's Statements
    The publisher stated “They [the dev's words] do reflect the hurt and disappointment of a passionate individual who has seen what was previously nothing but ...
  107. [107]
    Metro Exodus Reviews - Metacritic
    Rating 82% (60) Metro Exodus is a mishmash of borrowed ideas that falls short of creating a worthy sequel, while holding tight to the previous mistakes of the series. Read More.Critic Reviews · Full Credits & Details · 7.4
  108. [108]
    Dead Island 2 studio thinks original developers took "a too complex ...
    May 5, 2023 · The developer's decision to focus on fun above all else seems to have paid off, as the game has received a generally warm reception from fans ...
  109. [109]
    Embracer Group admits 'Saints Row' reboot left fans "polarised" - NME
    Nov 17, 2022 · Embracer Group has acknowledged this year's Saints Row reboot left fans "partially polarised," and it didn't "meet the full expectations."
  110. [110]
    Embracer's CEO says he's disappointed by Saints Row's 'polarising ...
    Sep 21, 2022 · Embracer Group CEO Lars Wingefors has said he's personally disappointed by the reception to the recently released Saints Row.<|control11|><|separator|>
  111. [111]
    Homefront The Revolution Launch Timing Discussed by Deep Silver
    Nov 23, 2016 · If anything, the game seemed to have launched too early and as such, the reception was less than stellar. In conversation with MCV, Deep Silver ...<|separator|>
  112. [112]
    Saints Row owner is disappointed by its reception, but the series isn ...
    Sep 22, 2022 · Reception and reviews for the Saints Row reboot were not what you'd call triumphant, and the CEO of the developer's parent company has ...
  113. [113]
    Saints Row: Worst Bugs, Glitches, and Technical Problems So Far
    Aug 23, 2022 · The game's aiming issues and mission progress bugs are the biggest technical problem I've encountered and heard about at the time of this writing.
  114. [114]
    Saints Row gets massive update fixing over 200 bugs
    Nov 17, 2022 · Volition has announced that the Saints Row 2022 reboot has received a huge update, fixing over 200 bugs, called the "Bright Future update".Missing: unfinished | Show results with:unfinished
  115. [115]
    SAINTS ROW (2022) – It's Hard to be a Saint in the City
    May 13, 2025 · If you don't know what happened to Volition, well, they got shut down by parent company Embracer Group in August 2023 after Saints Row failed to ...
  116. [116]
    what's the issue here: Overkill, Starbreeze, Deep Silver, or all of the ...
    Oct 16, 2023 · Publishers, marketing, and cashflow is likely what created the busted launch. Console QA, new bugs, and "the unknowns" are likely causing this ...I hate Deep Silver and so should you. : r/paydaytheheist - RedditDeep Silver - We released Homefront: The Revolution too earlyMore results from www.reddit.com
  117. [117]
    Dead island and Dead island Riptide crashes on startup Deep silver ...
    Feb 27, 2018 · Try downloading and installing DirectX End-User Runtimes from 2010. Reboot afterwards. Fixed the issue for me in both games.
  118. [118]
    A former head of communications at Dead Island 2 publisher Deep ...
    Jul 15, 2025 · A former head of communications at Dead Island 2 publisher Deep Silver has opened up about the "eight- year product delay" Dead Island 2 endured ...
  119. [119]
    Dead Island 2's 8-Year Delay Caused By Overwhelmingly Negative ...
    Jul 18, 2025 · He explained that Dead Island 2's 2015 release was postponed indefinitely because the game could not meet the expectations of Dead Island fans.
  120. [120]
    Saints Row developer Volition permanently shuts down | The Verge
    Aug 31, 2023 · Volition, makers of Red Faction and Saints Row, is shutting down for good. The news was announced on the company's LinkedIn account at around 12:30PM ET.
  121. [121]
    "It would have killed the franchise." Insights into the scrapped 2014 ...
    Jul 14, 2025 · Back in 2015, Yager managing director Timo Ullmann said that "Yager and Deep Silver's respective visions of the project fell out of alignment", ...
  122. [122]
    4A GAMES STUDIO UPDATE
    Feb 28, 2025 · We have since grown and work to this day on Metro under contract with Deep Silver and Plaion. We continued to work closely with our ...
  123. [123]
    Deep Silver owner THQ Nordic distances itself from Metro Exodus ...
    THQ Nordic owns both Koch Media and its publishing division Deep Silver, but today explained Metro is still the intellectual property of Koch, ...Missing: history | Show results with:history
  124. [124]
    'Saints Row' Dev Claims THQ Nordic Threw Out Original Plots ...
    Sep 11, 2025 · A YouTuber has revealed initial story for the Saints Row reboot, before THQ Nordic threw it out. Executive meddling also saw them forbid ...
  125. [125]
    ExecutiveMeddling / Video Games - TV Tropes
    Saints Row (2022) was originally planned as a direct sequel titled Saints Row Cinco that would bring back fan-favorite characters and the grittier tone of the ...<|separator|>
  126. [126]
    Saints Row (2022) Trivia - TV Tropes
    Executive Meddling: Deep Silver ordered Volition to remove human shields, a gameplay feature that was present in the previous Saints Row games, as they felt ...
  127. [127]
    "Who's Going To Fund Them For The Next Game After That Disaster ...
    Mar 18, 2025 · Despite selling nearly two million copies, the Saints Row reboot was deemed such a failure that Embracer completely shut down Volition after 30 years.
  128. [128]
    How Dead Island 2 Was Brought Back From the Dead - IGN
    Apr 29, 2023 · But from the very beginning, the follow-up was in an odd position. Techland and publisher Deep Silver had conflicting ideas about the creative ...
  129. [129]
    Dead Island 2 in trouble: Deep Silver drops dev studio, Yager
    Deep Silver has dropped development studio Yager from Dead Island 2 development, as confirmed by a statement the company released to the press today:.
  130. [130]
    Former Deep Silver comms boss says Dead Island 2 ... - PC Gamer
    Jul 15, 2025 · Former Deep Silver head of comms Martin Wein says the call to delay and overhaul Dead Island 2 was the right one.
  131. [131]
    2014 Dead Island 2 'Would Have Killed The Franchise' Says Former ...
    Jul 15, 2025 · A former head of communications at Dead Island 2 publisher Deep Silver has opened up about the "eight-year product delay" Dead Island 2 ...