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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
Black Forest Games has completed a management buyout from THQ Nordic and Embracer Group, becoming part of a new independent studio group called Third Signal. The move gives the German developer’s management team co-ownership and is intended to give studios more independence and creative freedom.
Third Signal’s founder says smaller teams can make some of the decade’s best games, and the group aims to support developers bringing their own ideas to life. Black Forest Games joined Embracer in 2017 and made the Destroy All Humans! remakes, as well as games in the Giana Sisters and Bubsy series; it will continue collaborating with THQ Nordic on development work.
In short
- Black Forest Games has spun out through a management buyout.
- It is joining the new independent group Third Signal.
- The studio will continue collaborating with THQ Nordic.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The buyout could give Black Forest Games’ leaders more control over creative decisions and let the studio pursue ideas with a smaller, more focused structure. Supporters may see this as a way to protect the advantages of a close-knit team while continuing to collaborate with THQ Nordic where that partnership is useful.
The case against
Leaving a larger group could reduce access to its funding, distribution networks and shared expertise, making it harder to manage the financial risks of game development. Greater independence may also bring more pressure onto the studio’s leaders and staff, and the benefits will depend on whether Third Signal can provide steady support and viable projects.