DeveloperActive 2001-2023

Piranha Bytes

Piranha Bytes are developers of computer games located in the Ruhrgebiet, Germany’s industrial heartland. They have developed the much acclaimed GOTHIC, Risen, and ELEX computer roleplaying games. Pluto 13 GmbH was founded in 2002 by employees and management of Piranha Bytes Software GmbH. Piranha Bytes Software GmbH was itself founded in 1997 and later (1999) turned into a 100% subsidiary of Phenomedia AG, a company listed on Germany’s Neuer Markt stock exchange. In 2001 the first GOTHIC game was released to the public. In May 2002 Phenomedia AG went into insolvency proceedings due to irregularities for which several former group managers (not Piranha Bytes’ management!) have been tried for in a German criminal court of law. It was therefore decided to make a clean cut and negotiate an MBO with the administrator, which was concluded in September 2002. Pluto 13 GmbH was founded and major assets, trademarks and most staff were transferred to the new company. One of the four original founders remained with the team in a leading position. Pluto 13 GmbH is a privately owned limited liability corporation under German law, all shares were held by its staff and management. In 2019 Piranha Bytes were fully acquired by THQ Nordic and reincorporated into Piranha Bytes GmbH. Staff and management remained unchanged. Current permanent staff is around 30 people - all but of one doing active development (designers, programmers, scripters, artists...).

View more
Games20Top platformPCTop genreRPG
Tracked products20
Release range2001-2023
Top genreRPG
Most covered platformPC

About Piranha Bytes

Piranha Bytes are developers of computer games located in the Ruhrgebiet, Germany’s industrial heartland. They have developed the much acclaimed GOTHIC, Risen, and ELEX computer roleplaying games. Pluto 13 GmbH was founded in 2002 by employees and management of Piranha Bytes Software GmbH. Piranha Bytes Software GmbH was itself founded in 1997 and later (1999) turned into a 100% subsidiary of Phenomedia AG, a company listed on Germany’s Neuer Markt stock exchange. In 2001 the first GOTHIC game was released to the public. In May 2002 Phenomedia AG went into insolvency proceedings due to irregularities for which several former group managers (not Piranha Bytes’ management!) have been tried for in a German criminal court of law. It was therefore decided to make a clean cut and negotiate an MBO with the administrator, which was concluded in September 2002. Pluto 13 GmbH was founded and major assets, trademarks and most staff were transferred to the new company. One of the four original founders remained with the team in a leading position. Pluto 13 GmbH is a privately owned limited liability corporation under German law, all shares were held by its staff and management. In 2019 Piranha Bytes were fully acquired by THQ Nordic and reincorporated into Piranha Bytes GmbH. Staff and management remained unchanged. Current permanent staff is around 30 people - all but of one doing active development (designers, programmers, scripters, artists...).

On ReadyGame we track Piranha Bytes titles across Nintendo eShop, PlayStation and Steam. Prices are checked frequently so you can spot a real low instead of a recycled one.

Use the filters above to narrow by genre, platform, or active discount. To watch a specific franchise across every release, open the franchise page, which shows the full timeline plus add-ons.

How We Track Prices

  1. 01 · We watch the major stores
    Prices across Nintendo eShop, PlayStation and Steam are checked frequently.
  2. 02 · We make them comparable
    All prices are converted to your currency so you always see the true best deal.
  3. 03 · We surface the best deal
    The lowest current price rises to the top. No digging, no math required.