Tencent
Tencent business and news from across the web.
Ubisoft reportedly shuts down Winnipeg and Belgrade studiosUbisoft has reportedly closed its Winnipeg and Belgrade studios, with additional layoffs occurring at its Barcelona studio, potentially affecting up to 380 employees. The Winnipeg studio closure is particularly notable given Ubisoft's previous commitment to expand it. These actions follow a year of labor disputes, including employee strikes and previous studio closures, amidst a significant deal with Tencent.
Ubisoft closing Winnipeg and Belgrade studios and making further layoffsUbisoft is closing its Winnipeg and Belgrade studios and implementing further layoffs across its Barcelona studio and global publishing business. These cost-reduction measures could affect up to 380 roles and are part of a broader restructuring to focus on new strategic priorities. The Winnipeg studio was key in developing the Anvil and Snowdrop engines, while Belgrade focused on various PC and console titles.- Envar Games' Magical Open-World Adventure Game ‘Witchspire’ Launches on PCEnvar Games has launched its new magical open-world adventure game, Witchspire, into Early Access on Steam for PC. The game features co-operative multiplayer, character customization, base building, and a variety of familiars to collect and level up. Witchspire is the debut original IP from Envar Games, a subdivision of co-development studio Envar.
SHIFT INTO TURBO! GODDESS OF VICTORY: NIKKE REVEALS TOKUSATSU-INSPIRED 'ARK RANGER' UPDATELevel Infinite announced the upcoming 'Ark Ranger' update for Goddess of Victory: Nikke, arriving June 11 for PC and mobile devices. The update is inspired by tokusatsu heroes and introduces a new character, 'Ark Black,' a story event focusing on her personal journey, and a new costume for Moran. Goddess of Victory: Nikke has been downloaded over 45 million times since launch.- Business and FinanceTencent is planning to raise $3 billion through a bond offering in both US dollars and yuan. Separately, OpenAI has reportedly filed for an Initial Public Offering, signaling a move towards public trading for the artificial intelligence company.
Amazon Has Identified A Lord Of The Rings Game Idea That Is “Quite Compelling”Amazon Games is still exploring ideas for a new The Lord of the Rings game, with a "quite compelling" concept recently evaluated by Amazon Games boss Jeff Gattis. While previous MMO projects with Leyou and Embracer did not materialize, the company remains committed to finding a suitable game experience for Tolkien's world. Amazon is also involved in other gaming projects and the "The Rings of Power" TV series.
RIDER Girl Dokidoki Romance RPG - Chasing Kaleidorider Test Recruitment Now OpenTencent's Fizzglee Studio has opened global recruitment for the closed testing of RIDER Girl Dokidoki Romance RPG Chasing Kaleidorider. The game features high-speed card battles, romance simulation elements, and anime-style cinematics. The latest test will be available on iOS, Android, and PC, offering players a glimpse into the core gameplay experience.
Crossfire is a new tactical, single-player action game from former Modern Warfare 2019 and Naughty Dog leadsCrossfire is a new single-player, third-person tactical action-adventure game from independent studio That's No Moon, founded by former Infinity Ward and Naughty Dog leads Taylor Kurosaki and Jacob Minkoff. The game features a narrative-driven experience with stealth and grounded action, utilizing an Adaptive Cover mechanic. It is set for release on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S, with publishing handled by Smilegate on consoles and Team K1 on PC.
"We're always on the hunt for new content" – Secret Mode on the surprise acquisition of Chained TogetherSecret Mode has acquired the viral co-op platformer Chained Together from Anegar Games, with backing from Emona Capital. CEO Ed Blincoe stated that acquisitions are a core pillar of their strategy, alongside signing new titles. The publisher plans to bring in a new development team to expand content for Chained Together and is also continuing its support for the previously acquired game, Escape the Backrooms.
'There is no world where it makes sense,' Warframe creative director says of Destiny 2's demise:…Warframe creative director Rebb Ford stated that the discontinuation of Destiny 2 development is an unthinkable business decision. He emphasized that the business side of gaming should not overshadow creative vision, drawing parallels to Warframe's own history and its relationship with Bungie's legacy. Ford also touched upon past acquisition talks involving Sony and Leyou, Warframe's parent company.- Conan Exiles Enhanced devs tease something ‘exciting’ coming to the back-burnered NightingaleInflexion Games has teased exciting news coming soon for their game Nightingale, with developers Aaryn Flynn and Neil Thompson suggesting updates could be shared in the coming months. The studio has been collaborating with Funcom on Conan Exiles Enhanced, but indicates a return to Nightingale development is on the horizon.
HONOR OF KINGS JOINS FORCES WITH FOOTBALL’S MOST FAMOUS VOICE AYMAN EL KASHIF The Voice of Football Now Calls Your Teamfights To Bring The Energy From The Pitch Directly To Your Game!Honor of Kings, the world's most-played MOBA, has partnered with Egyptian football commentator Ayman El Kashif for a limited-time in-game event. Players can earn football tokens by completing missions to unlock an Ayman El Kashif voice pack and other football-themed rewards. This collaboration aims to bring the excitement of football commentary to MOBA gameplay.
The more I hear about Far Cry 7, the more I worry about itThe author expresses significant concern regarding the future of the Far Cry series, specifically Far Cry 7, due to rumors of generative AI implementation and restrictive real-world time limits. Ubisoft's ongoing restructuring and silence on details further fuel these worries, contrasting with the series' past innovative entries.
Arc Raiders PvE mode coming to the Chinese version, and global players already want it in the main game tooEmbark Studios is releasing a PvE mode for the Chinese version of Arc Raiders, developed in partnership with Tencent. This new 'safe zone' mode allows players to opt for a friendly environment, though PvP remains an option. Global players are expressing a strong desire for this PvE content to be included in the main game as well.
Arc Raiders is finally getting a PvE mode, but only in ChinaArc Raiders is testing a new pseudo-PvE mode called Rebellion Mechanic on its Chinese client, co-developed with Tencent. This mode encourages cooperation by marking players who attack others, though betrayal is still possible with severe consequences. It is currently unclear if this mode will be released outside of China.
There's one game Don't Nod narrative designer Nina Freeman won't ever uninstall from her PC, because it's banned on Steam: 'It's tragic, because everyone should play this game'Narrative designer Nina Freeman discusses her PC gaming habits, highlighting Devotion as a game she will never uninstall due to its quality and controversial Steam ban. She also shares her most played game, Dota 2, and her appreciation for complex branching narratives in titles like Scarlet Hollow.
Uber Promising PS5 Action Game 'Tides of Annihilation' to Be Playable This YearEclipse Glow Games has announced that its action game Tides of Annihilation will be playable later this year, with more details to follow. The Chinese developer aims to showcase the game's technical performance and unique blend of Chinese art style with British mythology. Partnerships with Epic Games, Nvidia, and Tencent are confirmed to aid in optimization.
Honor of Kings World preview: Tower of Fantasy meets Where Winds MeetHonor of Kings World is an upcoming PC and mobile action MMO that blends gameplay elements from Tower of Fantasy and Where Winds Meet. Players can explore vast open worlds, engage in PvE combat, and utilize a variety of iconic characters with unlockable combat styles. The global version is still in development, with a focus on translations and content additions.
Sony delists PS5 exclusive as another live service game bites the dustSony has shut down the multiplayer servers and delisted Destruction AllStars from the PlayStation Store due to ongoing technical issues and low player count. While single-player modes will remain accessible until November 25, the game's live service component is effectively over. Developer Lucid Games, now owned by Tencent subsidiary LightSpeed Studios, is reportedly working on a new cyberpunk game called Last Sentinel.
PS5 exclusive Destruction AllStars shut down after five yearsDestruction AllStars, a PlayStation 5 exclusive vehicular brawler developed by Lucid Games and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment, has been taken offline and removed from the PlayStation Store. Sony cited ongoing technical issues as the reason for shutting down the live service game. While single-player modes will remain accessible until November 25, 2026, all multiplayer services have ceased operation.