Simon Zhu
Reporting and statements that mention Simon Zhu.
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Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic Won’t be 200 Hours Long or Use Generative AI
Casey Hudson, director of Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic, stated the upcoming RPG will not be excessively long, aiming for completion rather than hundreds of hours of gameplay. He also confirmed the game will not utilize generative AI, which he described as "creatively soulless." The project is being funded by Simon Zhu's GreaterThan Group, which has raised $40 million and secured commitments for nearly $60 million more, with a goal of publishing innovative projects.
Former NetEase exec Simon Zhu secures $100m to launch GreaterThan Group
Former NetEase executive Simon Zhu has launched GreaterThan Group (GTG), a new holding company that has secured $100 million in funding. GTG will support three newly formed studios: Arcanaut Studios, led by Casey Hudson; BulletFarm, led by David Vonderhaar; and MAGship, led by Masato Saki. The company aims to provide full funding and support to game development studios, allowing creators to focus on making games.
Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic secures large investment as director Casey Hudson seems to reject the use of gen-AI
Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic, the spiritual successor to Knights of the Old Republic, has secured significant investment through GreaterThan Group, founded by former NetEase executive Simon Zhu. Director Casey Hudson expressed his aversion to using generative AI in development, citing it as creatively soulless. Hudson also indicated a preference for a more focused game length, aiming for completion before 2030.
Former NetEase exec's new investment group is funding Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic because 'everyone wins' if you 'give the best creator the opportunity to work on a dream project'
Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic, a successor to Knights of the Old Republic being developed by original director Casey Hudson, is being funded by GreaterThan Group, a new investment company founded by former NetEase executive Simon Zhu. Zhu aims to support developers impacted by industry turmoil, stating that giving creators the opportunity to work on their dream projects benefits everyone involved. GreaterThan Group has also invested in BulletFarm, a studio founded by David Vonderhaar.
New Star Wars RPG led by Mass Effect boss backed by $100 million fund "bringing common sense back to the games industry" as it "treats developers so badly"
GreaterThan Group, a new holding company founded by former NetEase president Simon Zhu, has secured $100 million to fund game development. Among its initial projects is Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic, a spiritual successor to Knights of the Old Republic, led by Arcanaut Studios co-founder Casey Hudson. Zhu aims to create better conditions for developers, stating the industry currently treats them poorly.
Business and Finance
Industry veteran Simon Zhu has established GreaterThan Group, a new company designed to build, empower, and fund creative studios. Katsuhiro Harada, formerly of Bandai Namco, will lead a new SNK studio under this initiative.
Former NetEase Exec’s New Company is Funding Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic, BulletFarm
Former NetEase executive Simon Zhu has launched GreaterThan Group, a new holding company aiming to invest $40 million in global video game development. The company is funding Arcanaut Studios' Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic and BulletFarm, a shooter project led by industry veteran David Vonderhaar. Zhu expressed optimism about balancing artistic achievement with commercial success, noting a shift in investment focus from gaming to AI.
