"NO GAME NO LIFE": Grasshopper Manufacture have leapt from the jaws of NetEase and gone indie again
No More Heroes and Killer7 developers Grasshopper Manufacture have split from erstwhile parent company NetEase, founder Goichi "Suda51" Suda has announced. NetEase bought them back in 2021, as part of the acquisition of Gungho Online Entertainment. Now, they're going indie. According to Suda, the change reflects "a strong desire to deliver titles in an even wider variety of styles to video game…
Grasshopper Manufacture, developers behind acclaimed titles like No More Heroes and Killer7, have severed ties with their parent company, NetEase, and reemerged as an independent studio. The move comes after NetEase acquired Grasshopper Manufacture in 2021 as part of the Gungho Online Entertainment purchase. Founder Goichi Suda Suda expressed the studio's desire to explore a wider variety of game styles to cater to global gaming enthusiasts.
NetEase has not commented on the decision, but it's unclear why they would want to distance themselves from the creative team. Grasshopper Manufacture's recent release, Romeo is a Dead Man, didn't yield substantial sales figures, which doesn't necessarily indicate a lack of success. Suda emphasized the studio's gratitude for the strong relationship with NetEase and their intention to continue collaborating when possible.
The studio now possesses a diverse range of self-publishing options, allowing them to create unique titles with their signature "NO GAME NO LIFE" experience and enhanced quality, regardless of the publishing route.
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