Quantic Dream Issues Statement Amid NetEase’s Reported Withdrawal From Western Games Development

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Summary

  • Marvel Rivals devs laid off despite success.
  • NetEase considering withdrawing from Western game dev.
  • Quantic Dream unaffected, continues projects.

Just last week, there was a significant shakeup in the gaming community as developers of Marvel Rivals based in the U.S. announced their termination, surprising many given the game’s impressive performance.

It’s even more concerning because subsequently, a report emerged indicating that the Chinese corporation, NetEase, was considering discontinuing its involvement in game development within the Western market.

Could it be possible that NetEase’s European studio, which is currently being run by the French developer Quantic Dream, could also face closure? After all, NetEase owns this Western company.

Quantic Dream Assures Fans They Are Unaffected

On LinkedIn, Quantic Dream CEO Guillaume de Fondaumière expressed his sadness over the recent job losses and studio shutdowns within some of the NetEase group’s branches. His sympathies go out to those affected, and he wishes them swift success in finding new prospects.

Furthermore, David Cage and his team expressed their appreciation to the fans and friends who have recently contacted them about Quantic Dream. They want to assure everyone that their studios based in Paris and Montreal are still operational. The projects they’re working on continue at a fast pace, with vacancies available for new members in both locations.

Surprisingly, even though the studio didn’t launch any new games in the past year, De Fondaumière announced that they managed to earn the most revenue ever for the company, primarily due to their collection of previous titles. Specifically, Detroit: Become Human was highlighted by the CEO as a significant contributor, having sold over 11 million units across PlayStation and PC platforms last year, marking a 2 million unit increase compared to the previous year.

NetEase Says They Have Not Wavered In Its Global Expansion Plans

Despite rumors suggesting NetEase may be scaling back on its investment in western video games, the company maintains that their initial global growth strategy remains in full swing as intended.

According to a statement sent to IGN, a representative from NetEase’s Global Public Relations department confirmed that the company remains committed to its global expansion. This involves a strategy that includes both independent research and investment in international markets, which continues to make significant strides forward.

In line with our approach, each move we make is strictly guided by business appraisals, keeping external influences at bay. Meanwhile, our studios based in North America, the UK, Spain, Portugal (for Spain and Portugal), France, and Japan are consistently perfecting and progressing their ongoing game development projects.

The statement concludes with, “Our company is consistently pouring resources into our international operations, seeking and cultivating top talent. Simultaneously, we’re making structural adjustments within the organization to enhance performance, as these changes are essential for our continued growth. [CEO] Mr. Ding emphasized during the recent earnings discussion that NetEase is dedicated to backing exceptional studios and creative geniuses. This approach remains unchanged, and we regularly assess the development, feasibility, and potential success of our projects and teams in any studio worldwide, acting responsibly as a commercial enterprise.

When inquired about recent developments concerning the mentioned NetEase subsidiary studios like Nagoshi Studio, Grasshopper Manufacture, Pincool, GPTRACK50, and Quantic Dream that have allegedly been subjected to closures and layoffs, the representative stated, “Regarding those specific studios you’ve mentioned, I haven’t received any updates as of now. As previously planned, we anticipate releasing some games to the public this year.

The remarkable aspect is that Marvel Rivals skyrocketed upon its launch in December 2024 and shows no signs of slowing down. According to NetEase, the game has amassed a staggering 40 million players so far, generating an impressive $2.9 billion in revenue.

It would be ideal if NetEase manages to retain some of its Western studios. Otherwise, it could lead to a surge in job seekers, which is a situation we’ve unfortunately seen far too often in the first two months of 2025.

Regarding Quantic Dream, their current project underway is Star Wars Eclipse, revealed back in 2021. Since then, there have been no new updates on this upcoming game.

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2025-02-26 00:11