Editing Piranha Bytes

{{Short description|German video game developer}}
{{Distinguish|Piranha Games}}
{{Use British English|date=April 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2018}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Piranha Bytes GmbH
| logo = Piranha Bytes.svg
| former_name = {{Unbulleted list|Piranha Bytes Software GmbH (1997–2002)|Pluto 13 GmbH (2002–2019)}}
| type = [[Subsidiary]]
| industry = [[Video game industry|Video games]]
| founded = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1997}} in [[Bochum]], Germany
| founders = {{Unbulleted list|Alex Brüggemann|Michael Hoge|Stefan Nyul|Tom Putzki}}
| defunct = {{End date|2024|06|30}}
| hq_location_city = [[Essen]]
| hq_location_country = Germany
| key_people = Michael Rüve ([[managing director]])
| products = {{Unbulleted list|''[[Gothic (series)|Gothic]]'' series|''[[Risen (series)|Risen]]'' series|''[[ELEX]]'' series}}
| num_employees = 33
| num_employees_year = 2021
| parent = {{Unbulleted list|[[Phenomedia]] (1999–2002)|[[THQ Nordic]] (2019–2024)}}
| website = {{URL|https://www.piranha-bytes.com/|piranha-bytes.com}}
}}

'''Piranha Bytes GmbH''' was a German [[video game developer]] based in [[Essen]]. It was best known for their ''[[Gothic (series)|Gothic]]'' and ''[[Risen (series)|Risen]]'' series of [[role-playing video game]]s.

Piranha Bytes was founded in [[Bochum]] in 1997 and bought by [[Phenomedia]] in 1999. When Phenomedia filed for [[insolvency]] in May 2002, the Piranha Bytes management [[Management buyout|bought out]] the studio. [[THQ Nordic]], as part of [[Embracer Group]], then acquired the company in May 2019.

Piranha Bytes was reported to be in the process of closing since December 2023. It was closed sometime in June 2024 due to Embracer Group failing to find a new owner for the company, according to a former employee; the company declined to make a public statement on their closure.<ref name="Ivan">{{Cite web |last=Ivan |first=Tom |date=2024-07-08 |title=Embracer's Gothic and Elex studio Piranha Bytes has reportedly closed down |url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/embracers-gothic-and-elex-studio-piranha-bytes-has-reportedly-closed-down/ |access-date=2024-07-08 |website=VGC |language=en-GB}}</ref>

== History ==
Alex Brüggemann, {{Interlanguage link|Mike Hoge|de}}, Stefan Nyul and {{Interlanguage link|Tom Putzki|de}} founded Piranha Bytes in [[Bochum]] in 1997, incorporating it as Piranha Bytes Software GmbH.<ref name="Piranha Bytes: About" /><ref name="GameStar: Profile" /> In 1999, the company became a wholly owned [[subsidiary]] of the German publisher [[Phenomedia]].<ref name="GameStar: Profile" /> Piranha Bytes' first game, ''[[Gothic (video game)|Gothic]]'', was released in 2001.<ref name="Piranha Bytes: About" /> Shortly thereafter, Brüggemann left the company to work on smaller game projects, eventually designing ''[[The Settlers: Rise of an Empire]]''. He died on 19 January 2013 after suffering from cancer for three years.<ref name="Making Games: Brüggemann" /><ref name="Comixfactory: Brüggemann" />

Following a financial scandal at Phenomedia, the parent company filed for [[insolvency]] in May 2002.<ref name="GameStar: Profile" /> Piranha Bytes' management performed a [[management buyout]], concluded in September that year, and transferred the studio's trademarks and [[intellectual property]], including the rights to the [[Gothic (series)|''Gothic'' series]], to Pluto 13 GmbH, a new entity that assumed "Piranha Bytes" as its [[trading name]].<ref name="Piranha Bytes: About" /><ref name="GameStar: Profile" /> Only one of the four original founders remained with the new incorporation.<ref name="Piranha Bytes: About" /> In March 2004, Piranha Bytes was among the founders of {{Interlanguage link|GAME Bundesverband der deutschen Games-Branche|de}}.<ref name="GameStar: GAME" />

On 22 May 2019, [[THQ Nordic]], as part of [[Embracer Group]], announced that it had acquired the studio to undisclosed terms.<ref name="GamesIndustry.biz: THQ Nordic" /> At the time, Piranha Bytes had 31 employees in its [[Essen]] offices.<ref name="GamesIndustry.biz: THQ Nordic" /> Through the acquisition, the company was reincorporated as Piranha Bytes GmbH.<ref name="Piranha Bytes: About" /> By April 2021, with 33 employees, Piranha Bytes was among the forty largest video game companies in Germany.<ref name="GamesWirtschaft: Largest" />

In 2023, Embracer Group began implementing [[cost reduction]] measures to reduce accrued debt, including significant layoffs and studio closures. THQ Nordic reportedly began seeking a buyer for Piranha Bytes late that year. As this was unsuccessful, it began laying off all staff in December, a process ongoing as of 17 January 2024, and reduced the company to a [[Shell corporation|shell]]. The state of the studio's third ''ELEX'' game (codenamed ''WIKI6'') is unknown. The [[Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action]], which financed the development with {{€|3.2&nbsp;million}}, briefly removed ''WIKI6'' from its website before reinstating it as ''Currywurst'', stating that the financing claim had not been withdrawn, unlike that of the project cancelled at the downsized sister studio [[Fishlabs]].<ref name="GameStar: Closure" /><ref name="GamesWirtschaft: Closure" />

=== Closure ===
On 22 January 2024, the studio released a message on its official website, which expressed optimism about finding a partner for future projects and promised to keep the community updated.<ref name="PiranhaBytesAnnouncement">[https://www.piranha-bytes.com/a/Announcement__20240122_EN.pdf Piranha Bytes Announcement]</ref> In July 2024, it was confirmed that the studio had shut down in late June after failing to find such a partner.<ref name="Ivan"/><ref>{{Cite web |last=Blake |first=Vikki |date=2024-07-08 |title=Embracer-owned studio Piranha Bytes has been shut down |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/embracer-owned-studio-piranha-bytes-has-been-shut-down |access-date=2024-07-08 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |language=en}}</ref>

Some of the former employees founded the independent studio Pithead, which is being led by husband and wife Björn and Jenny Pankratz, who have been part of Piranha Bytes more or less since its inception. They have not yet announced what project this small team will work on.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Blake |first=Vikki |date=2024-07-08 |title=Former Piranha Bytes devs form Pithead Studio |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/former-piranha-bytes-devs-form-pithead-studio |access-date=2024-08-03 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |language=en}}</ref>

On 10 March 2025, four former Piranha Bytes employees announced the formation of Brainlag Games, a new independent studio.<ref>{{cite web |last=Kleffmann |first=Marcel |url=https://www.gamesmarket.global/marcel-kleffmann/new-studio-former-piranha-bytes-members-form-brainlag-games-and-announce-rootbound-e429242a67c40126f61ee808e9f4ffd3 |title=Former Piranha Bytes Members Form Brainlag Games and Announce Rootbound |work=GamesMarkt |date=10 March 2025 |access-date=11 March 2025 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> Their first game, ''Rootbound'', is scheduled to be released in 2026.<ref>{{cite web |last=Romano |first=Sal |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2025/03/physics-based-action-adventure-game-rootbound-announced-for-pc |title=Physics-based action adventure game Rootbound announced for PC |work=Gematsu |date=10 March 2025 |access-date=11 March 2025}}</ref>

== Games ==
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|-
! scope="col" | Year
! scope="col" | Title
! scope="col" | Platform(s)
|-
! scope="row" | 2001
| ''[[Gothic (video game)|Gothic]]''
| [[Nintendo Switch]], [[Windows]]
|-
! scope="row" | 2002
| ''[[Gothic II]]''
| Nintendo Switch, Windows
|-
! scope="row" | 2003
| ''[[Gothic II: Night of the Raven]]''
| Nintendo Switch, Windows
|-
! scope="row" | 2006
| ''[[Gothic 3]]''
| Windows
|-
! scope="row" | 2009
| ''[[Risen (video game)|Risen]]''
| Nintendo Switch, [[PlayStation 4]], Windows, [[Xbox 360]], [[Xbox One]]
|-
! scope="row" | 2012
| ''[[Risen 2: Dark Waters]]''
| [[PlayStation 3]], Windows, Xbox 360
|-
! scope="row" | 2014
| ''[[Risen 3: Titan Lords]]''
| PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox 360
|-
! scope="row" | 2017
| ''[[ELEX]]''
| PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox One
|-
! scope="row" | 2022
| ''[[ELEX II]]''
| [[macOS]], PlayStation 4, [[PlayStation 5]], Windows, Xbox One, [[Xbox Series X/S]]
|}

== References ==
{{Reflist|refs=

<ref name="Comixfactory: Brüggemann">{{cite web |url=http://comixfactory.de/?go=archiv&id=1293 |title=Tagebuch / Blog |language=de |trans-title=Diary / Blog |first=Ralf |last=Marczinczik |date=20 January 2013 |website=Comixfactory |access-date=20 January 2024 |archive-date=30 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210730163048/http://comixfactory.de/?go=archiv&id=1293 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="GamesIndustry.biz: THQ Nordic">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2019-05-22-thq-nordic-acquires-gothic-developer-piranha-bytes |title=THQ Nordic acquires Gothic developer Piranha Bytes |first=Matthew |last=Handrahan |date=22 May 2019 |website=[[GamesIndustry.biz]] |access-date=22 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190529133042/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2019-05-22-thq-nordic-acquires-gothic-developer-piranha-bytes |archive-date=29 May 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="GameStar: Closure">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamestar.de/artikel/piranha-bytes-gothic-elex-schliessung,3406996.html |title=Neue Informationen zu Piranha Bytes: Das Studio hinter Gothic und Elex steht offenbar kurz vor der Schließung |language=de |trans-title=New information about Piranha Bytes: The studio behind Gothic and Elex is apparently about to close |first=Heiko |last=Klinge |date=17 January 2024 |website=[[GameStar]] |access-date=18 January 2024 |archive-date=18 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240118155125/https://www.gamestar.de/artikel/piranha-bytes-gothic-elex-schliessung,3406996.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="GameStar: GAME">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamestar.de/artikel/game-bundesverband-der-spiele-entwickler-gegruendet,1345029.html |title=G.A.M.E. – Bundesverband der Spiele-Entwickler gegründet |language=de |trans-title=G.A.M.E. – Federal Association of Game Developers founded |first=Heiko |last=Klinge |date=8 March 2004 |website=[[GameStar]] |access-date=28 April 2018 |archive-date=28 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128164229/https://www.gamestar.de/artikel/game-bundesverband-der-spiele-entwickler-gegruendet,1345029.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="GameStar: Profile">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamestar.de/artikel/piranha-bytes-die-fantasten-aus-dem-pott,2567264.html |title=Piranha Bytes – Die Fantasten aus dem Pott |language=de |trans-title=Piranha Bytes – The Fantasts from the Pott |first=Patrick |last=Lück |date=29 April 2012 |website=[[GameStar]] |access-date=28 April 2018 |archive-date=23 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211223145427/https://www.gamestar.de/artikel/piranha-bytes-die-fantasten-aus-dem-pott,2567264.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="GamesWirtschaft: Closure">{{cite web |url=https://www.gameswirtschaft.de/wirtschaft/piranha-bytes-zukunft-embracer-180124/ |title=Piranha Bytes: Zukunft des Embracer-Studios offen (Update) |language=de |trans-title=Piranha Bytes: Future of Embracer Studio undetermined (Update) |first=Petra |last=Fröhlich |date=18 January 2024 |website=GamesWirtschaft |access-date=18 January 2024 |archive-date=18 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240118155127/https://www.gameswirtschaft.de/wirtschaft/piranha-bytes-zukunft-embracer-180124/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="GamesWirtschaft: Largest">{{cite web |url=https://www.gameswirtschaft.de/wirtschaft/groesste-games-studios-deutschland-2021/ |title=Die größten Games-Studios in Deutschland 2021 |language=de |trans-title=The largest game studios in Germany in 2021 |first=Petra |last=Fröhlich |date=13 April 2021 |website=GamesWirtschaft |access-date=16 April 2021 |archive-date=14 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414141212/https://www.gameswirtschaft.de/wirtschaft/groesste-games-studios-deutschland-2021/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="Making Games: Brüggemann">{{cite web |url=https://www.makinggames.biz/gamesbusiness/gothic-miterfinder-alex-bruggemann-verstorben,2317092.html |title=Gothic-Miterfinder Alex Brüggemann verstorben |language=de |trans-title=Gothic co-creator Alex Brüggemann has died |date=21 January 2013 |website=Making Games |access-date=23 December 2021 |archive-date=31 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210731060147/https://www.makinggames.biz/gamesbusiness/gothic-miterfinder-alex-bruggemann-verstorben,2317092.html |url-status=dead}}</ref>

<ref name="Piranha Bytes: About">{{cite web |url=https://www.piranha-bytes.com/index.php?navtarget=2&lang=en |title=Company |publisher=Piranha Bytes |access-date=20 October 2019 |archive-date=2 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190702065550/https://www.piranha-bytes.com/index.php?navtarget=2&lang=en |url-status=dead}}</ref>

}}

== External links ==
* {{Official website|https://www.piranha-bytes.com/}}

{{Piranha Bytes}}
{{THQ Nordic}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:2019 mergers and acquisitions]]
[[Category:Companies based in Essen]]
[[Category:German companies established in 1997]]
[[Category:German companies disestablished in 2024]]
[[Category:THQ Nordic divisions and subsidiaries]]
[[Category:Video game companies established in 1997]]
[[Category:Video game companies disestablished in 2024]]
[[Category:Video game development companies]]
[[Category:Defunct video game companies of Germany]]