Intro

Gearbox Software recently split from Embracer Group and are now heading into a different ownership but some loose ends were left in the process. Namely, the publishing branch of the smaller company remained and created confusion of the highest order, which is now being rectified.

Untangling the confusion

Gearbox Software and Gearbox Publishing were two different companies, both under Embracer Group’s umbrella. The first is the developer studio behind the Borderlands series while the latter is a publisher that had hits, like Remnant 2, and some misses, like Godfall.

When Gearbox Software split from Embracer Group and head towards Take-Two Interactive, Gearbox Publishing was not part of the deal. As such, it would be confusing for future customers and possibly during legal matters if the two kept sharing the name. To that end, Embracer had Gearbox Publishing “rebrand” as Arc Games.

This “rebranding” is also confusing though as Arc Games existed way before Gearbox Publishing and is known for nickel-and-diming Champions Online and Neverwinter players. The more correct way to describe the process would be “merging into Arc Games”.

What is Arc and what is not?

Former Gearbox Publishing announced the change through Remnant 2 Twitter page, noting they are still the same team that brought Remnant series and Neverwinter among other titles. This will further confuse potential players since Neverwinter was on Arc’s porfolio before the Gearbox merge while Remnant 2 was published by Gearbox Publishing and had nothing to do with the aforementioned Arc.

In any case, it will be hard to discern which game was on whose portfolio after these changes but then again, what ultimately matters is whether the game is worth your time and not who sprung out for its marketing. If you want to be on the safe side, wait for reviews, make informed decisions and don’t fall for the hype that leads to pre-ordering.