Sources say Chinese internet technology company NetEase will acquire 100% of Quantic Dream, and an announcement is likely to come this summer.
It’s unclear why acquisition talks began, but sources have indicated that Quantic Dream has been eyeing a full takeover since Sony’s three-game deal ended after the release of Detroit: Become Human in 2018. Quantic Dream has contacted several different companies over the course of the year. Over the years, “Project Karma” – a space exploration game was introduced as the next major title. In fact, Project Karma will eventually become Star Wars Eclipse, which was announced in December 2021.
Although the studio has experienced controversy, the announcement of Star Wars Eclipse was apparently a turning point in giving the studio loaded ammo to continue its desire for it.
NetEase is no stranger to studio acquisitions, as the company acquired Grasshopper Manufacture late last year. Grasshopper, the studio behind franchises like Killer7, No More Heroes, and Lollipop Chainsaw, has decided to “come together for the long-term through a deeper collaboration to create more quality content for gamers.”
People familiar with the deal said the current NetEase and Quantic Dream deal looks similar to the Grasshopper deal, with NetEase providing the resource support the studio needs to “resurrect Star Wars Eclipse.”
NetEase did not provide comment for this report but acknowledged the opportunity.
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