Grasshopper Manufacture splits from NetEase Games
Key takeaways
- NetEase acquired Grasshopper from GungHo in 2021
- ROMEO IS A DEAD MAN released in February
- Grasshopper celebrated its 28th anniversary in March
Grasshopper Manufacture has split from former parent NetEase Games, the studio announced, returning to independent status after being acquired from GungHo Online Entertainment in 2021. The message came from representative director and CEO Goichi Suda, who framed the change as the next step following the studio’s recent milestones.
This past February, Grasshopper released ROMEO IS A DEAD MAN and then marked its 28th anniversary in March. Suda thanked players worldwide for the game’s positive reception and praised the studio team for completing the “all-hands” project. After reflecting on future directions, Grasshopper chose independence "once again," a decision Suda said followed thorough discussions with NetEase and was made with NetEase’s cooperation; the studio also said it values the relationship between the companies and expects future collaboration when opportunities arise.
Suda wrote that Grasshopper has improved its self-publishing know-how and now has a broader range of options for how its titles are brought to market. The studio promised to continue creating games with the “NO GAME NO LIFE” experience associated with its name, aiming for its own signature flavor and further enhanced quality. Looking ahead, Suda asked for continued support as the studio prepares for its 30th anniversary and future releases.
Why it matters
Takeaway: Grasshopper says regained independence and newly improved self-publishing capabilities give it more publishing choices while it continues developing the distinctive titles tied to its name.
Original source
Google News: Gematsu
