Quantic Dream Acquired by NetEase Games

Quantic Dream (of Detroit: Become Human fame) has been acquired by NetEase Games. This follows the latter acquiring a minority stake in the studio in 2019, though Tom Henderson reported plans for a complete acquisition back in March 2022. The studio will remain independent, developing and publishing titles for multiple platforms while “supporting” and publishing games from third-party studios. However, it can now also leverage NetEase’s resources.

In a press release, NetEase CEO and director William Ding said, “We are thrilled to embark on an exciting new stage of growth with Quantic Dream, bound by our shared vision, mutual trust and respect. NetEase will continue to fulfil our promise to support Quantic Dream to realise its full potential. By combining the wild creativity and exceptional narrative focus of Quantic Dream with NetEase’s powerful facilities, resources and execution capabilities, we believe there are infinite possibilities that could redefine the interactive entertainment experience we provide for players worldwide.”

Quantic Dream founder and CEO David Cage said, “Today marks an important milestone for our studio after a quarter century of complete independence. NetEase Games values our creative freedom and the drive and passion of our uniquely diverse team. We will now be able to accelerate the vision we share as a group, by creating landmark titles that touch people on an emotional level.

“We have highly differentiated games in the making and I truly believe that the best is yet to come from Quantic Dream. I am particularly proud that our employees, who were offered a significant share of our capital over the past years, will fully benefit from this acquisition. It is a testimony to our continued commitment to reward all those who have made Quantic Dream the successful studio it is today.”

Quantic Dream is currently working on Star Wars Eclipse, a new action-adventure title with multiple characters and a branching narrative. Several reports have noted the troubled development cycle, though ex-insider AccountNGT said the development was going “better than some would have you believe.” However, it could be a long time before the gameplay reveal.

In the meantime, the studio is rumored to be working on a medieval fantasy title, “Dreamland.” It also recently announced Under the Waves, a narrative adventure title about the “engulfing power of grief.”