NetEase, the China-based mobile game developer and internet technologies company, announced that it has acquired 'Quantic Dream,' a French game development studio. Quantic Dream is most known for its story-focused, decision-heavy games such as 'Heavy Rain' and 'Detroit: Become Human.'
The studio's co-CEO, David Cage, stated that the company has "had acquisition discussions on several occasions during the past 25 years," continuing on to state that these were all rejected due to the acquirer not "guaranteeing our editorial independence." As such, Quantic Dream accepted NetEase's offer for this reason, amongst others. Cage noted that NetEase shares a common motivation, which is to explore creative, narrative-focused games with impactful twists.
Quantic Dream will continue to produce games that are jointly branded and published by NetEase. However, the studio will gain access to NetEase's assets, facilities, and network platforms, uplifting the quality of Quantic Dream's games going forward.
Game Studio Acquisitions
NetEase Acquired 'Quantic Dream,' the Developers of 'Heavy Rain'
Trend Themes
1. Game Studio Acquisition Trends - The trend of game studio acquisitions is likely to continue as game developers seek to benefit from the resources and assets of larger companies, and larger companies seek to expand their portfolios and diversify their offerings.
2. Narrative-focused Game Trends - The trend of narrative-focused games is expected to continue as consumers increasingly seek out emotionally engaging and immersive experiences in the games they play.
3. International Collaboration Trends - The trend of international collaboration between game developers and companies is likely to continue as developers look to expand their reach and companies look to diversify their offerings.
Industry Implications
1. Gaming Industry - The gaming industry continues to grow and evolve, with opportunities for disruptive innovation in game development and distribution.
2. Mobile Technology Industry - Mobile technology continues to shape the gaming industry, with opportunities for disruptive innovation in mobile game development and distribution.
3. Internet Technologies Industry - The internet technologies industry is increasingly playing a role in gaming, with opportunities for innovative collaborations and partnerships between companies.