Arc Games Explained

Arc Games Inc.
Type:Subsidiary
Industry:Video games
Hq Location City:Redwood City, California
Hq Location Country:US

Arc Games (formerly known as Perfect World Entertainment and Gearbox Publishing San Francisco), is a video game publisher. Founded in 2008 as the North American branch of the Chinese company Perfect World, they currently operate their former parent company's titles outside China as well as publishing various video games.

Originally formed to localize Perfect World's games for international audiences, Perfect World Entertainment is also publishing games from sister-company developers Cryptic Studios (Star Trek Online, Champions Online, Dungeons & Dragons Neverwinter) and Runic Games (Torchlight series and Hob), which they had acquired in 2011.[1]

In December 2021, Perfect World Entertainment was acquired by Embracer Group and merged into The Gearbox Entertainment Company and rebranded as Gearbox Publishing San Francisco.[2] [3]

Embracer announced their plans to sell The Gearbox Entertainment Company to Take-Two Interactive in March 2024, with Gearbox Publishing San Francisco being retained by Embracer.[4] They subsequently rebranded as Arc Games in April of that year.[5] [6] [7]

Published games

Developed by Perfect World

Other games

!Year!Name!Platforms!Developer!Notes
2009TorchlightWindows, OS X, Linux, Xbox 360Runic GamesPublished by Microsoft Studios on Xbox 360
Champions OnlineWindowsCryptic StudiosOriginally published by Atari
2010Star Trek OnlineWindows, OS X, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
2012Torchlight IIWindows, OS X, Linux, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo SwitchRunic Games
Windows, PlayStation 4Zombie StudiosWindows version is discontinued
2013NeverwinterWindows, OS X, Linux, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo SwitchCryptic Studios
2015GiganticWindows, Xbox OneMotigaDiscontinued
2016LivelockWindowsTuque Games
2017HobWindows, PlayStation 4, Nintendo SwitchRunic Games
2019Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo SwitchGunfire Games
2020Torchlight IIIEchtra Games
2023Have a Nice DeathWindows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/SMagic Design Studios
Remnant 2Windows, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/SGunfire Games
UFO: Unidentified Falling ObjectsWindows, Nintendo SwitchAndrew Morrish
2024Gigantic: Rampage EditionWindows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/SAbstraction Games
Hyper Light BreakerWindowsHeart Machine
2025FellowshipWindowsChief Rebel

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Perfect World and Atari Announce Agreement for the Acquisition of Cryptic Studios . 2011-05-31 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110603023416/http://gamutnews.com/20110531/12089/perfect-world-and-atari-announce-agreement-for-the-acquisition-of-cryptic-studios.html . 2011-06-03 . dead .
  2. Embracer Group Enters Into Agreement To Acquire Perfect World Entertainment . December 21, 2021 . December 21, 2021 . .
  3. Web site: Perfect World rebrands as Gearbox Publishing after Embracer purchase . Chris . Kerr . April 22, 2022 . April 22, 2022 . .
  4. Web site: Valentine . Rebekah . 2024-03-28 . Take-Two Buys Gearbox From Embracer, Confirms Development on New Borderlands Game . 2024-03-29 . IGN . en.
  5. Web site: 2024-04-08 . We Are Now Arc Games . 2024-04-09 . Arc Games. en.
  6. Web site: Carter . Justin . April 8, 2024 . Still in Embracer's custody, Gearbox Publishing SF rebrands to Arc Games . 2024-04-22 . www.gamedeveloper.com . en.
  7. Web site: Rousseau . Jeffrey . 2024-04-09 . Gearbox Publishing San Francisco is now Arc Games . 2024-04-22 . GamesIndustry.biz . en.
  8. Web site: LOMA/HOTK – Important announcement from PWE. 2012-04-05 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120405234050/http://www.perfectworld.com/blog/?p=342111 . 2012-04-05 .
  9. Web site: Perfect World to Shut Down Rusty Hearts on September 15th. 2024-04-10 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20141128234021/http://news.mmosite.com/content/2014-08-04/perfect_world_to_shut_down_rusty_hearts_on_september_15th.shtml . 2014-11-28 .