Tag Archives: Tencent

Business, Games, Gaming, News

Tencent Acquires 15% Stake in Arrowhead Game Studios

In a significant move within the gaming industry, Tencent Games has acquired a 15.75% stake in Arrowhead Game Studios, the developer behind the hit game Helldivers 2. The deal, valued at $80 million, positions Tencent as a minority shareholder while the remaining 84.25% of the company remains in the hands of its founders.

Tencent, a Chinese technology conglomerate, has a history of investing in gaming studios worldwide. The company has previously acquired stakes in Ubisoft, Riot Games, Epic Games, and 10 Chambers, among others. This latest investment in Arrowhead aligns with Tencent’s strategy of expanding its influence in the gaming industry while gaining access to Western game developers.

Arrowhead’s CEO, Johan Pilestedt, welcomed the investment, stating that it would help open up opportunities in the Chinese gaming market, which is considered the “holy grail” for game developers due to its massive player base.

Arrowhead Game Studios has seen tremendous success with Helldivers 2, which became PlayStation’s fastest-selling game with over 12 million copies sold in its first 12 weeks. The studio reported a turnover of $100.2 million last year, with a profit of $76.2 million, making it an attractive investment for Tencent.

Despite Tencent’s minority stake, Arrowhead retains full creative control over its projects. The studio’s leadership has emphasized that the investment will not alter its development philosophy but will instead provide greater financial stability and access to new markets.

Tencent’s Growing Influence in Gaming

Tencent’s investment in Arrowhead is part of a broader trend of Chinese companies expanding their presence in Western gaming. The company has been actively acquiring stakes in major gaming studios, including Ubisoft’s Level Infinite, which focuses on publishing high-quality games for a global audience.

With this latest acquisition, Tencent continues to solidify its position as a dominant force in the gaming industry, leveraging its financial power to support promising studios while expanding its reach into new markets.

What’s Next for Arrowhead?

Following the success of Helldivers 2, Arrowhead is now working on its next major project, internally referred to as Game 6. The studio has confirmed that this game will be 100% self-funded, allowing them to maintain full creative control over its development.

As Tencent integrates its resources with Arrowhead, the gaming community will be watching closely to see how this partnership unfolds. Will Tencent’s involvement lead to new opportunities for Arrowhead, or will it raise concerns about corporate influence in game development?

One thing is certain—Arrowhead’s future looks brighter than ever, and Tencent’s investment is a testament to the studio’s growing reputation in the gaming world.

Games, Gaming, News

Tencent Games added to US’ enterprises blacklist

Tencent, the Chinese tech and gaming giant, has recently been blacklisted by the United States Department of Defense. The DoD added Tencent to its list of “Chinese Military Companies” due to alleged ties to the Chinese military. This move is part of the broader U.S. government effort to restrict business with companies linked to the Chinese military.

In response, Tencent has stated that its inclusion on the list is a “misunderstanding”. The company emphasized that it is neither a military company nor a military-civil fusion contributor to the Chinese defense industrial base. Tencent’s spokesperson told The Verge mentioned that the listing has no impact on their business but that they will work with the Department of Defense to address any misunderstandings.

Unlike sanctions or export controls, this listing has no impact on our business. We will nonetheless work with the Department of Defense to address any misunderstanding.

It’s definitely a significant development, especially considering Tencent’s vast influence in the gaming industry, owning stakes in companies like Riot Games (League of Legends), Epic Games (Fortnite), and many others.

Games, Gaming, News, PC

Tecent announces Open-World Survival Game Light Of Motiram

Tencent’s new subsidiary, Polaris Quest, has announced an exciting new game titled Light of Motiram. Set to release in 2025, this open-world survival game promises to deliver an immersive experience with a unique blend of crafting, monster-taming, and action-packed combat.

As per Polaris Quest, Light of Motiram takes place in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by colossal machines known as Mechanimals. Players must navigate this dangerous world, gathering resources, crafting tools, and building shelters to survive.

The game features a physics-driven system that enhances the realism of building and crafting.

And yes, I think that you already read some reactions, but accordingly, have criticized it for its similarities to Horizon Zero Dawn and Palworld if going to comparisons with what was shared and the concepts of what it is expected on the game.

Players can explore the vast open world on foot or by riding Mechanimals. They can mine rocks, fish, and fell trees to gather resources and craft essential items all while engaging in intense combat with powerful robotic creatures using a variety of weapons.

The combat system is designed to offer a diverse range of fighting styles.

Despite that, you can discover and tame over 100 different types of Mechanimals, each with unique abilities. Players can customize their Mechanimals to create powerful allies for their adventures.

https://geezusgg.xyz/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/LightOfMotiramVid.webm

For now, Light of Motiram is confirmed to be a free to play title, but will be a PC-only release on both Steam and the Epic Games Store.

While there are no plans for a console release at this time and the accusations of the “liberties with the inspiration”, the game is expected to be a hit among PC gamers.