Did Square Enix Sell Gex? The Tail of a Gecko’s Ownership

Yes, Square Enix did sell Gex, along with Crystal Dynamics and other related assets, to Embracer Group in August 2022. This marked a significant shift in ownership for the wisecracking gecko and his associated intellectual property. Understanding the reasons behind this sale and the subsequent implications for the Gex franchise requires a deeper dive into the corporate landscape and the game’s history. Let’s unravel the details of this transaction and explore what it means for the future of Gex.

The Evolution of Gex’s Ownership

From Crystal Dynamics Creation to Square Enix Acquisition

Gex, the anthropomorphic gecko with a penchant for television, was born at Crystal Dynamics. The studio developed the original trilogy: Gex (1995), Gex: Enter the Gecko (1998), and Gex 3: Deep Cover Gecko (1999). These games were released across various platforms, including the 3DO, PlayStation, and Nintendo 64, solidifying Gex’s place in gaming history.

Over time, Eidos Interactive acquired Crystal Dynamics. Later, in 2009, Square Enix acquired Eidos, which brought Gex under their umbrella. While Square Enix owned the Gex IP, the series remained largely dormant for many years. Despite this, Square Enix explored potential revivals, including initiatives under their Square Enix Collective program. However, these projects never fully materialized.

The Embracer Group Era

In May 2022, Embracer Group announced its intent to acquire Crystal Dynamics, Eidos-Montréal, and Square Enix Montréal, along with a catalog of over 50 intellectual properties, including Gex, for $300 million. The deal closed in August 2022, officially transferring ownership to Embracer Group and placing the development teams under their CDE Entertainment division.

This acquisition signaled a potential resurgence for the Gex franchise, as Embracer Group explicitly expressed interest in exploring sequels, remakes, and remasters of established franchises within the acquired studios’ portfolios.

Gex is Back: A Remastered Trilogy on the Horizon

The good news for Gex fans is that the gecko is indeed returning. Limited Run Games announced the Gex Trilogy, a compilation of the original three games, for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. This remastered collection, utilizing Limited Run’s Carbon Engine for emulation, is a testament to the enduring appeal of Gex and the efforts of its new ownership to revitalize the franchise.

Why the Sale? Square Enix’s Strategy

The question remains: Why did Square Enix sell off such valuable assets? According to industry analysts, the move was driven by a strategic shift aimed at improving capital efficiency. Square Enix may have believed that their Western studios were cannibalizing sales from their Japanese titles. Selling these studios allowed them to streamline their operations and focus on other areas of their business, particularly the development of blockchain-based games and other emerging technologies.

Future Prospects: What Lies Ahead for Gex?

With Embracer Group now at the helm, the future of Gex looks promising. The remastered trilogy is a step in the right direction, and the company’s stated interest in exploring the franchise’s potential suggests that new Gex games, sequels, or spin-offs could be on the horizon. The wise-cracking gecko may yet have many more adventures in the media dimension.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Gex and its Ownership

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to provide additional information about Gex, its ownership, and its future:

1. Who currently owns the Gex franchise?

   The Gex franchise is currently owned by Embracer Group through their CDE Entertainment division. This followed the acquisition of Crystal Dynamics, Eidos-Montréal, and Square Enix Montréal in August 2022.

2. Why did Square Enix sell Crystal Dynamics and the Gex IP?

   Square Enix sold Crystal Dynamics and related assets to improve capital efficiency and streamline their operations. They believed that focusing on other areas, such as blockchain games, would be more profitable.

3. Is Gex coming back with a new game?

   While a completely new game hasn’t been announced yet, the Gex Trilogy, a remastered collection of the original three games, is in development for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.

4. What games are included in the Gex Trilogy?

   The Gex Trilogy includes Gex (1995), Gex: Enter the Gecko (1998), and Gex 3: Deep Cover Gecko (1999).

5. Who is developing the Gex Trilogy?

   Limited Run Games is developing the Gex Trilogy using their Carbon Engine for emulation.

6. What platforms will the Gex Trilogy be released on?

   The Gex Trilogy will be released on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.

7. When will the Gex Trilogy be released?

   A specific release window for the Gex Trilogy hasn’t been announced yet by Limited Run Games.

8. How many Gex games were originally released?

   There were originally three Gex games developed by Crystal Dynamics: Gex, Gex: Enter the Gecko, and Gex 3: Deep Cover Gecko.

9. Who created Gex?

   Crystal Dynamics created Gex and developed the original trilogy of games.

10. What kind of character is Gex?

    Gex is an anthropomorphic gecko who is addicted to television and has a penchant for wise-cracking one-liners. He works as a secret agent in the games.

11. Who is the main villain in the Gex series?

    Rez is the main antagonist of the Gex series. He is a megalomaniac, cybernetic entity who seeks to control the Media Dimension.

12. Has Gex appeared in any media besides video games?

    Yes, there was a short animated clip of a fictional Gex cartoon, presented as a tape recording of a 1990s animated series that aired on Toon Disney.

13. How many copies of Gex games have been sold in total?

    The Gex series has sold a total of over 15 million copies across all platforms.

14. What was the last original Gex game released?

    The last original Gex game released was Gex 3: Deep Cover Gecko in 1999.

15. What is Embracer Group’s plan for the Gex franchise?

    Embracer Group has expressed interest in exploring sequels, remakes, and remasters of established franchises, including Gex, suggesting that they may be considering developing new Gex games in the future.