Splash Damage
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Inside Tencent's long-term strategy: live service, AI tools, and evergreen titles
Tencent's long-term strategy for its global games division centers on building sustainable communities through live service titles and evergreen IPs, alongside investing in high-quality talent and synergistic partnerships. The company is also embracing AI as a tool to enhance developer efficiency and iteration, rather than replace human roles, while navigating challenges in global integration and outsourcing.
"Everybody got the rug pulled out from under them": Xbox are putting third-party Game Pass deals "on pause", claims publishing veteran
Industry veteran Fernando Rizo claims that Microsoft has put a pause on new third-party deals for Xbox Game Pass as the company reassesses its gaming business strategy. This alleged halt comes as Microsoft's financial year ends and follows decisions to reduce the price and remove day-one Call of Duty releases from the service. While Rizo believes Game Pass is not over, he suggests a hiatus on new third-party acquisitions is likely.
Former Splash Damage Veterans Form Underdog to Build ZERO Sievert 2, the Co-op Sequel to the Cult Indie Extraction Hit
Underdog, a new studio formed by former Splash Damage veterans, has announced ZERO Sievert 2, the co-op sequel to the cult indie extraction shooter ZERO Sievert. The game will feature multiplayer co-op, deeper lore, new systems, and an evolved 2.5D visual style. The original ZERO Sievert, created by Luca Carbonera of CABO Studio, has sold over 600,000 copies on Steam.
"They wouldn't look at any game that was less than £50 million" Why Tencent's all-in strategy didn't suit Bulkhead
Bulkhead, a studio acquired by Tencent via Splash Damage, found the parent company's demand for games with budgets over £50 million unsuited to their development style. Despite initial success with Battalion 1944 and pitching the PC shooter Wardogs, Tencent's scale led to Bulkhead spinning out into a new holding company, Super Media Group, with Team17 and Hiro Capital. The studio is now focused on Wardogs, aiming for a sustainable player base rather than massive AAA success.
Ubisoft names general managers of Creative Houses 3 and 5, Creative Network
Ubisoft has appointed Julien Bares as general manager of its new Creative Houses 3 and 5, focusing on live service, mobile, and casual games. Thomas Andrén has been named general manager of the newly-created Creative Network arm, designed to provide production support across studios. These appointments are part of Ubisoft's ongoing restructuring efforts.
Splash Damage acquires Scum developer Gamepires from Jagex
UK co-development studio Splash Damage has acquired Croatian developer Gamepires, the studio behind the open-world survival title Scum, from Jagex. The deal, backed by Emona Capital, merges the two entities into Splash Damage Group, which will operate independently. The new group plans to focus on premium development, co-development partnerships, scaling the Scum franchise, and investing in new intellectual property.
Splash Damage acquires Scum dev Gamepires from Jagex
Splash Damage has acquired Scum developer Gamepires from Jagex, with financial backing from Emona Capital. The combined entity will leverage Splash Damage's shooter expertise and Gamepires' survival game strengths to expand the Scum franchise and develop new intellectual property. Ben Hopkinson, formerly CFO of Splash Damage, will lead the new company as CEO.
A practical guide to indie comms: How studios can build visibility without burning out
This guide offers practical advice for indie game studios on building visibility without burnout, focusing on clarity, consistency, and connection in communications. It outlines a "tiers" framework for prioritizing comms efforts, emphasizing a sustainable approach to marketing that aligns with game development.
Why Hiro is bullish on UK and EU game dev funding after helping The Chinese Room and Bulkhead go independent
Hiro Capital, through its new advisory division, is bullish on the UK and EU game development funding landscape, seeing a rise in independent studios formed by experienced teams. The firm has already assisted The Chinese Room and Bulkhead Interactive in regaining independence from larger corporations. Factors like regulatory limitations on US investment for Asian companies and the availability of talent exiting larger firms contribute to Europe's attractiveness for game dev investment.
Secret Mode busted out of the Tencent-owned Sumo Group last year. Now what?
Secret Mode, an indie publisher owned by Sumo Group (which is in turn owned by Tencent), has successfully gained independence with the help of investment firm Emona Capital. This move came after Sumo Group announced a shift to exclusively focus on development services. Secret Mode's CEO Ed Blincoe and chief publishing officer James Schall detail the rapid acquisition process and the publisher's subsequent growth, including new hires and ambitious projects like Star Wars: Galactic Racer.
