NetEase Games has announced the acquisition of SkyBox Labs, known for its work on Halo Infinite, Minecraft and Age of Empires. The latter will continue operating independently with existing and new partners to “pursue creative opportunities and co-develop titles in the PC and console space.”
SkyBox Labs co-founder Shyang Kong says, “Over the last decade, we’ve had the pleasure to work on beloved games such as Halo Infinite, Minecraft, and Fallout 76. We remain committed to growing our presence in Canada, supporting our current and future partners, and co-developing more AAA games for some of the biggest game studios around the world.
“We have built a team of talented individuals who are passionate and creative, and by joining NetEase Games, we will also be able to accelerate our plans to pursue new creative opportunities, and enjoy access to world-class operational resources and the full breadth and depth of NetEase’s services so we can scale faster in Canada.”
Simon Zhu, NetEase Games president of global investment and partnerships, added, “We are thrilled to welcome SkyBox Labs to the NetEase Games family and are committed to creating an environment that allows them to thrive and operate independently as a game studio. We were impressed with their extensive experience in game development and are great admirers of their past work on some of the world’s leading franchises.
“We look forward to working with the SkyBox Labs co-founders and providing the resources needed to help them grow their presence in Canada as they continue to support top creators around the world in developing unforgettable gaming experiences for players.”
SkyBox Labs will retain staff and hire new employees in game development, production QA, design, art, and more. NetEase will support it, providing resources and “execution capabilities” for it to achieve a “faster scale” while maintaining the same level of quality.
SkyBox’s acquisition is NetEase’s latest, joining the likes of Quantic Dream (Detroit: Become Human, Star Wars Eclipse) and Grasshopper Manufacture (No More Heroes). It also invested in Rebel Wolves, studio of former CD Projekt RED developers working on a new triple-A dark fantasy RPG. There’s also the establishment of Nagoshi Studio, with Yakuza series creator Toshihiro Nagoishi in charge.
Could we see more acquisitions this year? Stay tuned for more updates in the coming months.