Italian studio 34BigThings has regained its independence from layoff tycoon Embracer Group.
Studio co-founder Valerio Di Donato has reacquired 100 percent of the company’s shares from the Swedish conglomerate, which acquired 34BigThings in November 2020.
The news means the Carmageddon Rogue Shift and Redout II developer has become the second-largest independent video game studio in Italy.
34BigThings currently comprises over 70 employees and will be led by head of studio and co-founder Giuseppe Enrico Franchi in tandem with a streamlined board of directors consisting of Valerio Di Donato and CFO Daniel Giagnorio.
Franchi said detaching from Embracer will allow the Torino-based studio to chart its own future.
“Returning to full independence gives us absolute autonomy to shape our structure, our projects, and our development approach. It’s refreshing to be steering our own ship once more,” he added.
“This new chapter will begin with an absolute bang. Later this year, we will be announcing a major title built on one of the most important, beloved, and revered intellectual properties in the world. And that’s just the start: our production pipeline is fully charged, with another major title scheduled for 2027 followed by another groundbreaking project slated for 2028.”
Embracer has become known for mass layoffs, divestments, and studio closures since 2023, when the company initiated a debilitating restructuring plan following years of mergers and acquisitions. Those cuts have continued into 2026, with Embracer having eliminated roles at Vertigo Games, Tripwire Interactive, Crystal Dynamics, and Eidos Montreal since the turn of the year.
The conglomerate is now splitting into multiple standalone, publicly-traded companies in an effort to rightsize.