Grasshopper Manufacture Returns to Indie Roots Following Departure from NetEase Amidst Shift in Chinese Gaming Strategy

NetEase acquired Grasshopper Manufacture, the studio behind the No More Heroes series, back in 2021. Now, five years later, the Chinese conglomerate is parting ways with the studio, which CEO Goichi “SUDA51” Suda described as having had an “amazing relationship.” Suda expressed that returning to an independent status will allow the studio to pursue its “strong desire to deliver titles in an even wider variety of styles to video game lovers everywhere.”

This decision follows the release of Grasshopper Manufacture’s latest title, Romeo Is a Dead Man, an engaging arcade action-adventure game featuring an FBI investigator who navigates through space and time to apprehend criminals. While Suda noted that the game received “high acclaim and great reviews,” he did not disclose its sales performance.

“Having finally completed this all-hands project, as we reflected on the next stage of Grasshopper Manufacture’s future, we found a strong desire to deliver titles in an even wider variety of styles to video game lovers everywhere,” he announced on September 30. “As such, Grasshopper Manufacture has chosen to move forward as an independent developer once again.”

He added, “This decision was reached after thorough discussions with NetEase Games, and with their generous cooperation. We continue to cherish the amazing relationship our companies have built, and look forward to further collaboration when the opportunity arises. Having improved our own self-publishing know-how, we now have a broad range of options available to us, and regardless of how our games may be published, we remain committed to creating unique titles featuring the ‘NO GAME NO LIFE’ gaming experience expected of Grasshopper Manufacture with our own signature flavor and further enhanced quality.”

After a significant investment period where NetEase funneled millions into various gaming companies, aiding several Japanese developers in launching new studios, the internet giant has been gradually retreating from the industry. Despite initially supporting Nagoshi Studios’ debut game, Gang of Dragon, from the creator of Yakuza, funding was halted earlier this year. It also seems unlikely that they will continue with GPTRACK50, another startup they backed, as its upcoming action roguelike, Stupid Never Dies, is set to be self-published later this month.