Tencent
Tencent business and news from across the web.
Latest coverage
Gamescom 2026: Exterminauts is an upcoming co-op shooter where you use mad science against alien foes
Exterminauts is an upcoming co-op third-person PvE shooter where players team up to use weaponized power tools and mad-science gadgets against alien pests. Developed by Behaviour Interactive and published by Tencent, the game tasks players with completing MegaCorp contracts amidst intergalactic conflicts.
Spanish union calls for ongoing strike action at Ubisoft Mobile Barcelona
The Spanish union Coordinadora Sindical del Videojuego (CSV) is organizing a series of strike actions at Ubisoft Mobile Barcelona throughout September and October 2026. The strikes are in protest against a mandatory return-to-office policy, with the union claiming Ubisoft has refused to negotiate. This action follows a company-wide restructure and a significant investment from Tencent.
Executives from EA and Tencent to speak alongside Netflix, Sony, and Disney at FT Business of Entertainment summit
The Financial Times Business of Entertainment Summit in Los Angeles will feature executives from Electronic Arts and Tencent Games alongside leaders from Netflix, Sony Pictures, Disney, and TKO Group. The event in September will focus on the forces reshaping the entertainment industry, including media dealmaking, franchise ecosystems, AI, and content monetization.
Game Developer Association of India picks 15 studios for first Supernova cohort
The Game Developer Association of India has selected 15 studios for its Supernova incubation program, which offers mentorship and industry connections. Separately, Focus Entertainment has partnered with Maverick Games to publish the upcoming open-world racing title Clutch, set for a Spring 2027 release on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
W4 Games raises $18M to expand its international team
W4 Games, a startup founded by former Godot veterans, has secured $18 million in Series B funding, primarily led by Tencent. The investment will be used to expand its international team, accelerate the development of its enterprise offering, and support the growing demand for the open-source game engine Godot. Tencent also signed a multi-year strategic partnership to help scale W4 Games and the Godot ecosystem in Asia.
Godot Engine partner firm W4 Games secures $18m Series B funding, signs deal with Tencent to bolster Asia ecosystem
W4 Games, the commercial partner for the Godot Engine, has secured $18 million in Series B funding, led by Tencent. The company also signed a strategic deal with Tencent to expand the Godot ecosystem in Asia. This funding brings W4 Games' total raised to $33 million and will support international team expansion, particularly in the Asian market.
China reportedly allows ByteDance and Tencent to import 10,000 H200 chips
ByteDance and Tencent have reportedly received 10,000 H200 chips each, with other Chinese companies expected to follow. This development suggests a potential easing of restrictions on importing advanced semiconductors into China.
Starsand Island's 1.0 update isn't going great amid claims of AI and lackluster multiplayer
The 1.0 update for the anime RPG Starsand Island has been met with predominantly negative Steam reviews, a sharp contrast to its previously positive reception during early access. Players are criticizing the update for lacking substantial new content, raising concerns about undisclosed AI usage and Tencent backing, and finding the multiplayer implementation to be poorly designed with progress only saving for the host. Developer Seed Sparkle Lab has denied claims of fake reviews but has yet to address the specific criticisms regarding AI and multiplayer.
Industry legend Warren Spector is retiring: 'I'm feeling like I've done what I set out to do'
Industry veteran Warren Spector, known for his work on immersive sims like Deus Ex and System Shock, has announced his retirement from game development after nearly 44 years. While he has mixed feelings and ideas for future projects, Spector feels he has accomplished his goals and is ready to pursue writing, lecturing, and consulting. He also cited changes in the industry and a desire to make way for new talent as reasons for his departure.
PlanetSide 2 addresses crash issues, reopens a smaller map, and kicks off more summer directives
PlanetSide 2 has received a new patch addressing client-side crash issues and reintroducing the smaller Koltyr map into its own pool for lower population hours. The update also includes additional summer directive rewards for the Operation: Ares event, running until September 2nd, and brings back previous summer cash shop items.
"The world's becoming so bleak": How Soulframe hopes to escape Warframe's shadow, with a little insight from Elden Ring
Digital Extremes is developing Soulframe, a new fantasy RPG that aims to differentiate itself from their popular live service game, Warframe. While taking some inspiration from Elden Ring for its methodical melee combat, Soulframe focuses on a more hopeful and inspirational tone compared to the bleakness of the real world and Warframe's sci-fi setting. The studio is also experimenting with its live service model, aiming for larger, more impactful updates early in Soulframe's development.
Tomoland’s AI “Intern” Is Learning From Every Move Players Make In Its App
Tomoland's AI companion, referred to as an 'intern,' is actively learning from player actions within the studio's mobile app. The Singapore-based UGC platform, which recently secured $2 million in funding, allows users to create AI partners without coding. This AI training is part of Tomoland's broader strategy to bridge Web2 and Web3, though some players have expressed concerns about the AI's development and data usage.
Tencent's cyberpunk rival to Grand Theft Auto is in trouble as its developer lays off 80 people
Tencent's ambitious cyberpunk open-world game, Last Sentinel, is reportedly in trouble as developer Lightspeed LA has laid off 80 employees. Publisher Tencent has lost confidence in the project, which has been in development for six years and faced multiple delays and reboots. While not officially cancelled, Lightspeed LA is now working on the game without Tencent's backing and plans to shift its creative direction.
"Credible military storytelling": Ubisoft announce playtests for new Ghost Recon game alongside a sizeable Wildlands update and a Future Soldier giveaway
Ubisoft is celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Ghost Recon series with several announcements. A new, unannounced Ghost Recon game is entering closed playtests, focusing on tactical action and credible military storytelling. Additionally, Ghost Recon: Wildlands is receiving an update with new missions and technical enhancements, and copies of Ghost Recon: Future Soldier are being given away to Ubisoft Connect users.
Iron Man to Ark 2: 15 announced games which have disappeared into the ether
This article highlights 15 announced video games that have seemingly disappeared into development hell, with no substantial news or release dates for years. Titles like Star Wars Eclipse, Little Devil Inside, and Beyond Good & Evil 2 are discussed as examples of games stuck in limbo, some technically not cancelled but facing significant development challenges or prolonged silence, raising concerns about their eventual release.
Publisher Secret Mode opens development studio to support internal projects
Publisher Secret Mode has opened a new development studio in Sheffield to support its existing game portfolio with updates and DLC, manage platform ports, and assist external developers. The studio will be led by VP of technology and operations Dan Secker and technical development director Jacob Habgood. This move aims to keep Secret Mode's games thriving and players engaged post-launch.
Assassin's Creed Valhalla director makes sudden return to Ubisoft, and will lead the series moving forward
Eric Baptizat, director of Assassin's Creed Valhalla, Black Flag, and Origins, has returned to Ubisoft to lead future development for the Assassin's Creed franchise. He previously worked at Ubisoft for 16 years before directing the Dead Space Remake at Motive Studio. Baptizat's return comes as Ubisoft splits into Ubisoft and Vantage Studios, and ahead of the upcoming game Assassin's Creed Hexe.
Secret Mode opens new Sheffield studio to support internal titles, starting with Escape the Backrooms and Chained Together
Indie publisher Secret Mode has established a new internal development studio in Sheffield, initially comprising three people and aiming to expand to 20 within a year. This new division will focus on supporting the publisher's existing titles, starting with Escape the Backrooms and Chained Together, by developing new content and porting games to additional platforms like Xbox and PlayStation 5. The move aims to reduce reliance on external development and foster a culture of rapid content creation.
Devs raise $130,000 in just five days to support laid-off peers
A charity bundle organized by Necrosoft Games has raised over $130,000 in five days to support game developers who have been laid off. The bundle, featuring over 100 games, surpassed its initial goal and is now aiming for $200,000. Funds are distributed by the United Videogame Workers union to provide financial assistance to affected workers.
Morning Postmortems/Retrospectives
This article analyzes Tencent's unsuccessful attempt to compete with the Grand Theft Auto franchise. It delves into the business strategies and game development challenges faced by Tencent in this endeavor.