# Piranha Bytes

> German video game development company

**Wikidata**: [Q677273](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q677273)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piranha_Bytes)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/piranha-bytes

## Summary
Piranha Bytes is a German video game development company founded in 1997, known for creating games like Gothic and Elex series, and currently owned by THQ Nordic.

## Key Facts
- Founded on October 12, 1997, in Germany by Alexander Brüggemann, Michael Hoge, and Tom Putzki.
- Currently has 33 employees as of 2021.
- Operated under the legal form of Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung.
- Headquartered in Essen, Germany at Ruhrallee 63, 45138 Essen.
- Owned by THQ Nordic, an Austrian video game publisher.
- CEO is Michael Rüve.
- Known by aliases including Pluto 13 and Pluto13.
- Specializes in creating video games as a software development organization.
- The company dissolved on June 30, 2024.

## FAQs
### Q: When was Piranha Bytes founded?
A: Piranha Bytes was founded on October 12, 1997.

### Q: What games has the company developed?
A: The company developed games including Elex II (2022) and Gothic II: Gold Edition (2005).

### Q: Who owns Piranha Bytes?
A: Piranha Bytes is owned by THQ Nordic, an Austrian video game publisher.

### Q: How many employees did the company have?
A: The company had 33 employees as of 2021.

## Why It Matters
Piranha Bytes holds significance in the video game industry as a developer of critically acclaimed RPGs, particularly the Gothic series and its modern successors like Elex. The company represents a notable example of German game development and has contributed to the fantasy RPG genre through its immersive worlds and gameplay mechanics. Its acquisition by THQ Nordic in 2021 marked a strategic move to expand its reach within the gaming industry, though the company ultimately dissolved in 2024.

## Notable For
- Developed the Gothic series, which became a landmark in fantasy RPGs
- Created the Elex series, continuing the company's RPG tradition
- Known for immersive open-world environments and complex gameplay mechanics
- Maintained a distinctive artistic style and narrative approach in its games
- Operated under the aliases Pluto 13 and Pluto13

## Body
### Company History and Operations
Piranha Bytes was established on October 12, 1997, in Essen, Germany. The company was founded by Alexander Brüggemann, Michael Hoge, and Tom Putzki and operated under the legal form of Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung. The company specialized in video game development as a software development organization within the video game industry.

### Ownership and Affiliations
The company was owned by THQ Nordic, an Austrian video game publisher. THQ Nordic was established in 2011 with headquarters in Vienna and had 84 employees as of the information provided. Piranha Bytes maintained its operations in Essen, Germany, with a Twitter account (@Piranha_Bytes) and a YouTube channel (ID: UCgfSPZSGlIJZcdVm8EObDZg).

### Products and Development
The company developed several notable video games, including:
- Elex II (2022)
- Gothic II: Gold Edition (2005)

These games represented the company's continued involvement in the fantasy RPG genre. The company was also a member of GAME, the German Games Industry Association.

### Company Details
As of 2021, Piranha Bytes had 33 employees. The company maintained social media presence on platforms including Twitter and Facebook. The company dissolved on June 30, 2024.

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  "name": "Piranha Bytes",
  "description": "German video game development company founded in 1997",
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## References

1. LastDodo
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. [Source](https://www.game.de/mitglieder/)
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. MusicBrainz
6. National Software Reference Library
7. [DevPlay - Wie viele sind wir?](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCrNgeN-SU0&t=60s)
8. [Embracer Annual Report and Sustainability Report 2021](https://web.archive.org/web/20210825223946/https://embracer.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Embracer-Annual-Report-and-Sustainability-Report-2021.pdf)
9. Google Knowledge Graph
10. YouTube API
11. VideoGameGeek