About
About Piranha Bytes
Piranha Bytes was a German RPG developer founded in 1997 in Essen, best known for the Gothic, Risen, and ELEX series. Acquired by THQ Nordic in 2019, the studio closed in 2024 after 27 years of development.
Company History
- Founded: 1997 (Bochum, Germany)
- Location: Essen, Germany
- Team: ~31 employees
- Acquired by: THQ Nordic (2019)
- Closed: 2024
Major Game Series
Gothic Series
- Fantasy RPG franchise
- Multiple titles
- Millions of copies sold
Risen Series
- Three fantasy RPG titles
- Spiritual successor to Gothic
ELEX Series
- Post-apocalyptic sci-fi RPG
- ELEX (original)
- ELEX II (2022, final release)
Legacy
Created some of the most beloved European RPGs, known for:
- Immersive open worlds
- Player freedom
- Challenging gameplay
- Atmospheric settings
Closure
Closed in 2024 as Embracer Group sought buyers during restructuring following failed $2B Savvy Games deal.
Spiritual Successors
- Pithead Studio - Founded by former leads Björn and Jennifer Pankratz
- Gothic 1 Remake - In development by Alkimia Interactive
Note
Piranha Bytes is closed. Entry exists for historical reference.
Why Piranha Bytes Mattered
- Gothic series cult classic
- 27 years German RPG history
- ELEX unique sci-fi RPG
- Millions sold worldwide
- European RPG pioneer