After six years operating under the umbrella of the Embracer studio, 34BigThings is officially charting its own course. The independent developer has announced that original co-founder Valerio Di Donato has acquired full ownership of the company, ushering in a new era of autonomy for the team.
This transition isn’t just a change of management; it’s a declaration of independence. Led by Di Donato and fellow co-founder Giuseppe Enrico Franchi, the studio is now steered by an invigorated team, including Daniel Giagnorio stepping into the role of chief financial officer.
Di Donato reflected on the time spent under Embracer, noting that the structure provided invaluable stability that allowed 34BigThings—known for acclaimed titles like Redout, Mars or Die!, and Otto—to grow into a celebrated European development powerhouse with over seventy employees.
“That stewardship provided us with structure and stability while allowing us to navigate the complexities of balancing internal development with external stakeholders,” Di Donato said. This experience, however, now serves as the foundation for an even more agile future.
For Franchi, the move to independence is about unlocking creative freedom. “Being independent means having absolute autonomy to shape our structure, our projects, and our development approach,” he explained. He emphasized that this freedom translates into the ability to select their own projects, discard what doesn’t work quickly, allocate resources strategically, and seize external opportunities without waiting for corporate approval.
This pursuit of self-determination comes at an interesting time. The gaming industry has recently seen significant shifts, with Embracer undergoing multiple restructuring events, including studio sales and layoffs. While the reasons for this move remain internal, 34BigThings‘ reacquisition signals a decisive commitment to focusing solely on their creative vision.
Looking ahead, the team is gearing up for an exciting phase. Franchi confirmed that 34BigThings plans to kick off its next chapter “with an absolute bang.” The roadmap is ambitious: they will announce a major title based on one of the world’s most beloved intellectual properties later this year. This is followed by another major project scheduled for 2027, and yet another groundbreaking endeavor slated for 2028.
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Credit: PC Gamer
