Destruction Derby and Driver developer Ubisoft Reflections is being downsized with job losses as the parent company also closes Ubisoft Leamington and cuts in Dusseldorf and Stockholm. Formerly Reflections and Reflections Interactive Limited, the Newcastle upon Tyne studio began in 1984, being acquired by GT Interactive (later Infogrames and Atari) in 1998 and then by … [Read more...]
General sim racing news and reports on the industry, covering games studios, industry moves, and anything not directly related to a specific game title or product
Seat Maker Recaro Automotive Files For Bankruptcy
It's a tough time for German firms making sim racing equipment as not only have Fanatec become insolvent, but now seat maker Recaro Automotive files for bankruptcy. The company dates back to 1906, with Recaro Holdings owning the aircraft, seating and gaming companies, with Recaro Automotive Seating owned by Raven Acquisitions LLC since 2020. Confusingly, the sim racing side … [Read more...]
Fanatec Parent Company Endor AG Files For Insolvency
The future isn't certain for one of the biggest sim racing hardware companies, as Fanatec parent company Endor AG files for insolvency. An attempt to restructure under the German Company Stabilisation and Restructuring Act (StaRUG) has failed, apparently due to a request by the former CEO and majority stakeholder to "convene an extraordinary general meeting to prevent a … [Read more...]
Corsair Negotiates To Buy Fanatec
There's a big change coming to the world of sim racing equipment as Corsair negotiates to buy Fanatec and parent company Endor AG. It's been a turbulent time for Fanatec, with new chairman and CEO Andres Ruff replacing founder Thomas Jackermeier, issues with fulfilling orders and customer service, delays and debts related to a new headquarters, and more. Corsair has already … [Read more...]
Umberto Bettini Appointed General Manager at Milestone
While the big news is that Embracer Group will split into three separate companies, there are still changes being made at lower levels of the business, with Umberto Bettini appointed General Manager at Milestone. Formerly the Country Manager of Plaion Italy, the 53-year-old has been with the company since 2011, and will report directly to CEO Luisa Bizio, oversearing all … [Read more...]
Fanatec Gets A New Official F1 Provider and License Deal
In the midst of some upheaval for the company, Fanatec gets a new official F1 provider and license deal. The renewal of the existing agreement will run for multiple years, and means they'll continue supplying teams and drivers in the Formula 1 Sim Racing series. And it also means there will be more F1 products being launched for sim racing, including the latest licensed … [Read more...]
Fanatec Appoint Andres Ruff As New Chairman and CEO
After a turbulent time for the sim racing hardware manufacturer, which included dismissing founder Thomas Jackermeier from his position leading the business, parent company Endor AG and Fanatec appoint Andres Ruff as new chairman and CEO. The news was revealed in a statement shared via social media, as the current CRO takes the new position with immediate effect. And he … [Read more...]
Embracer Group Will Split Into 3 Separate Companies
After recently selling Saber Interactive, the home of SnowRunner and MudRunner, to the new Beacon Interactive company, there's another big resutructuring as Embracer Group will split into 3 seperate companies. This will mean a trio of standalone publicly listed entities, with two of them including the racing game developers currently within the Embracer portfolio. Going … [Read more...]
Motorsport Games And BTCC Agree A New License Deal
After their original license agreement was terminated back in November 2023 due to 'ongoing fundamental breaches', Motorsport Games and BTCC agree a new license deal, covering rFactor 2 content until the end of 2026. Having found an amicable resolution to their issues, both parties have signed a new non-exclusive license agreement, which means British touring car content … [Read more...]
Fanatec Have Dismissed CEO Thomas Jackermeier
After a period beset with supply chain issues, licensing delays and getting equipment delivered to customers, Fanatec have dismissed CEO Thomas Jackermeier. Jakermeier began the business back in 1997, with the first wheel released in 1998, and parent company Endor AG named after the planet in Return of the Jedi. He also holds around 50% of the shares in Endor after the … [Read more...]
Embracer Group Confirms The Sale Of Saber Interactive
Early reports have proven true as Embracer Group confirms the sale of Saber Interactive to Beacon Interactive, a new company led by director and Saber co-founder Matthew Karch. Karch stepped down as Saber CEO in the summer of 2023 (He's still listed as President on LinkedIn, and remains a large shareholder in Embracer Group). Which makes the sale more intriguing than simply … [Read more...]
Is Saber Interactive Being Sold By Embracer Group?
Originally reported by Bloomberg, is Saber Interactive being sold by Embracer Group? The American developer and publisher is home to various racing and driving games, including the MudRunner and SnowRunner titles (with Expeditions: A MudRunner Game released this week), and Dakar Desert Rally, along with previous titles including MX Nitro Unleashed, Road Redemption and the … [Read more...]
Motorsport Games Granted An Extension By Nasdaq
The publisher of Le Mans Ultimate and rFactor 2 will remain on the American stock exchange for at least a while longer, with Motorsport Games granted an extension by Nasdaq. The second potential delisting in two years was noted in an SEC filing in November 2023, with a deadline of January 2nd for a plan to regain compliance, and a further 180 days to put it into action. Now … [Read more...]
Grid Finder Has Been Acquired By RAFA Racing Club
Sim racing league and community platform Grid Finder has been acquired by RAFA Racing Club for an undisclosed amount reportedly in seven-figures. Launched by Tom Stapley-Bunten in 2020 to help racers find leagues across titles including Assetto Corsa, Assetto Corsa Competizione, Gran Turismo, Forza Motorsport and more, the Newcastle business cofounded by CTO Nikhil Patel and … [Read more...]
Youtuber Ross Scott Plans A Lawsuit Over The Crew Closure
With the game delisted in December 2023 and the servers shutting down on March 31st 2024, Youtuber Ross Scott plans a lawsuit over The Crew closure. Known for the Half-Life machinima series Freeman's Mind on his Accursed Farms Youtube channel, Scott is looking to bring a class-action lawsuit against Ubisoft as The Crew is only playable online. Originally released in 2014, it … [Read more...]