Quantic Dream has announced that it has been acquired by Chinese gaming and tech giant NetEase. The amount for the deal hasn't been disclosed, but Quantic Dream says the acquisition won't affect its creative direction or studio management.
What do we know about the Quantic Dream NetEase acquisition?
Rumors first began to float that Quantic Dream might be acquired by NetEase back in March this year. Those rumors proved to be true, as Quantic Dream revealed its acquisition by NetEase earlier today. The studio says it will retain its "independence in terms of [its] editorial line", as well as control over its creative direction and management procedures.
In addition, Quantic Dream says it will still operate entirely independently, which includes retaining control over creating and self-publishing games on "all platforms". Third-party publishing also won't be affected, with Quantic Dream continuing to "support and publish" games created by other studios. It sounds like you shouldn't have too much to worry about if you're a Quantic Dream fan.
This is the latest in a string of acquisitions made by NetEase recently. Late last year, the company acquired Suda51's Grasshopper Manufacture, and back in January, Yakuza creator Toshihiro Nagoshi revealed a new venture, Nagoshi Studios, in collaboration with NetEase. Earlier this month, it was also announced that former Capcom producer Hiroyuki Kobayashi jumped the Capcom ship to join NetEase.
What's next for Quantic Dream?
Right now, Quantic Dream is working on narrative adventure game Star Wars Eclipse, although the project seems to be causing the studio some trouble if reports are to be believed. David Cage's studio also has publishing projects in the works; its first publishing project, Dustborn, doesn't have a release date yet, but the studio has already signed up for a second publishing agreement in narrative adventure Under the Waves.
We'll have to wait and see what Quantic Dream's acquisition by NetEase means for the studio. What is for certain is that NetEase has acquired a studio not without its fair share of legal troubles and accusations of workplace toxicity. Evidently, though, these accusations weren't enough to put NetEase off. We'll bring you more on this as soon as we get it.
