In May 2022, Embracer Group announced that they had acquired a number of studios from Square Enix in a deal worth $300 million. At the time, Today, Embracer is shutting down at least one of those studios, a move that impacts roughly 200 employees.
CDE Entertainment, an Embracer-owned business group made up of assets acquired during that Square Enix acquisition, announced that they are shutting down its publishing QA team and Studio Onoma. Onoma was the rebranded name of Square Enix Montreal that focused on mobile gaming. As Square Enix Montreal, the studio made games like Deus Ex Go, Lara Croft Go, and also helped on Marvel's Avengers.
In total, the closures will impact roughly 200 employees. CDE Entertainment says that they are looking to move some of those impacted by these closures to open positions at PC and console projects within the remaining studios.
The focus for Embracer now seems to be on Crystal Dynamics and Eidos-Montreal. CDE director Phil Rogers issued some remarks about the decision to close Studio Onoma.
"With the opportunity to form the 12th operative group within Embracer we have massive ambitions across Crystal Dynamics and Eidos-Montréal.
"We see the growth opportunities centered around our premier franchises and AAA games. Closing publishing QA and our Onoma studio is a difficult decision and one that we've taken with great care and consideration. We greatly thank all those team members for their contributions over the years and hope to find proper placements for as many as possible."​
"We see the growth opportunities centered around our premier franchises and AAA games. Closing publishing QA and our Onoma studio is a difficult decision and one that we've taken with great care and consideration. We greatly thank all those team members for their contributions over the years and hope to find proper placements for as many as possible."​
