Business · Companies · 57 mins ago
Black Forest Games leaves THQ Nordic and launches studio group
Germany's Black Forest Games has become independent after a management buyout separated it from THQ Nordic and its parent company, Embracer Group.
The studio is known for remaking the first two Destroy All Humans games and will keep making and publishing games under its own label.
It has also co-founded Third Signal, a group for independent studios that aims to give small teams resources and creative freedom.
The group plans to focus on premium games for PC and console, but has not yet announced which other studios will join.
Black Forest Games was acquired by THQ Nordic in 2017 and says it is grateful for nine years working with THQ Nordic and Embracer.
It will still collaborate with THQ Nordic on game development tasks.
The move comes after Black Forest Games reportedly cut about half its staff in 2024 during Embracer's restructuring.
The studio says it is now looking forward to shaping its future as an owner and working on a new project with partners.
Black Forest Games has left THQ Nordic and Embracer Group through a management buyout.
The German studio has co-founded Third Signal, an independent game studio group intended to support small development teams.
Third Signal plans to provide teams with resources and creative freedom and focus on premium games for PC and console.
Black Forest Games will continue to collaborate with THQ Nordic on game development tasks.
The studio says it is grateful for nine years with THQ Nordic and Embracer and is excited to shape its future as an owner.
- Who
- Black Forest Games, the developer of the Destroy All Humans remakes, and Third Signal CEO Andreas Tobler.
- What
- Black Forest Games has separated from THQ Nordic and Embracer through a management buyout and co-founded Third Signal.
- When
- The move was reported on November 11 and 12, 2026. The sources do not state the exact date it took effect.
- Where
- Black Forest Games is based in Germany. The sources do not specify where the buyout took place.
- Why
- The studio says it wants to shape its future as an owner. Third Signal aims to give teams independence, resources and creative freedom.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
THQ Nordic acquired Black Forest Games.
Black Forest Games reportedly lost roughly 50 staff amid Embracer Group restructuring.
Reports said Black Forest Games had left THQ Nordic and Embracer through a management buyout and co-founded Third Signal.
GamesIndustry.biz reported that Black Forest Games would continue collaborating with THQ Nordic on game development tasks.
- New group
- Third Signal
- Buyout
- Management buyout
- Studio base
- Germany
- Former owner
- THQ Nordic, part of Embracer Group
- Third Signal focus
- Premium games for PC and console
- Prior acquisition
- THQ Nordic acquired Black Forest Games in 2017
4 sources
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"Some of the best games of the last decade came from teams of fifty": Destroy All Humans! remake devs Black Forest Games split from THQ Nordic to launch new indie studio group
What people are saying
Some of the best games of the last decade came from teams of 50, not 500. Black Forest Games is one of them, and the right studio to launch Third Signal
Our vision is to build a developer driven group and give teams the independence, resources and creative freedom to continue their creative legacy and bring their own ideas to life.
We are grateful to THQ Nordic and Embracer for nine good years and the games we made together.