Chinese publisher NetEase reportedly acquired studio Quantic Dream for €100 million last year, according to Insider Gaming.
The details:
- NetEase was reported to have purchased 100% of French developer and publisher Quantic Dream in March 2022, the company behind titles such as Detroit: Become Human, Heavy Rain, and Beyond: Two Souls. Five months later, in August, both parties confirmed that the deal had been completed, with Quantic Dream becoming one of NetEase's subsidiaries.
- Although no financial information was provided at the time of the purchase, Insider Gaming's Tom Henderson revealed that the acquisition totaled €100 million after speaking with sources. Because of France's PACTE law, which encourages employee share ownership, all employees at the company were given shares in the studio. According to one source, they received between €50,000 and €100,000 from their percentage after the purchase.
- According to another source, founder and CEO David Cage held a 51% stake in the studio with family members, resulting in a €50 million payout.
What else is going on at Quantic Dream?
- The studio is currently working on Star Wars: Eclipse, which has reportedly experienced some development difficulties. The game was revealed at the end of 2021, and very little information about the project has been released since then. The title is expected to be released in no less than five years due to engine and staffing issues that the team has encountered.
- According to reports from around the time of Star Wars: Eclipse's reveal, the staffing issues stemmed from the company's inability to attract a buyer following allegations of poor workplace conditions, including homophobia, racism, and sexual misconduct. With NetEase's acquisition, we can expect the studio to grow, with increased resources across the board.
