Virtuos Strategically Acquires Pipeworks, Abstraction, and Umanaia in Hopes of Becoming a Powerhouse

Virtuos, a leading video game developer with a strong track record on titles like Crash: Mind Over Mutant, The Outer Worlds, Dead Island 2, and Hogwarts Legacy, has announced the strategic acquisition of three global studios: Pipeworks (USA), Abstraction (Netherlands), and Umanaia (Canada). This move aims to expand Virtuos’ global footprint and transform it into a “sustainable, flexible game development solutions” powerhouse. Each acquired studio will integrate its distinct expertise into Virtuos’ growing network, which now spans 26 locations worldwide, strengthening the company’s capacity for live operations, new IP creation, and the development of AAA games.

Pipeworks, with a 25-year legacy and nearly 200 employees, becomes Virtuos’ lead development studio in North America. Known for co-development on titles such as Terraria and Call of Duty, Pipeworks already collaborates with Xbox Game Studios, PlayStation Studios, and Warner Bros. Games. Abstraction, comprising over 90 veterans who have contributed to projects like Baldur’s Gate 3 and Dune: Awakening, will bolster Virtuo Labs’ engineering power. Meanwhile, Umanaia, established in 2021 and featuring talent from Assassin’s Creed and For Honor, will focus on Virtuos Originals, providing expertise in Games-as-a-Service (GaaS) and extensive post-launch strategies. This broader resource pool ensures Virtuos can deliver a more diverse suite of development services, from refreshing beloved IPs to prototyping cutting-edge technologies for some of the biggest names in gaming.

What do you think of Virtuos’ worldwide expansion, and how might these studio acquisitions shape the future of AAA game development? Join the conversation below and let us know!