Grasshopper Manufacture has developed several cult classics over the years. This includes The Silver Case, Capcom's Killer7, and the franchise that helped the studio stand out, No More Heroes. The latest game from the studio is the long-awaited third entry, No More Heroes 3, helmed by the company's founder, Suda51. The game has been a hit on the Nintendo Switch, concluding the saga of Travis Touchdown. Suda51 has now announced that his company, Grasshopper Manufacture, will be joining Chinese company NetEase Games.
This acquisition was announced on both Grasshopper Manufacture and NetEase Games' websites, along with Suda51's Twitter. Ever since 2013, Grasshopper Manufacture was under Gungho Online Entertainment's umbrella, and has worked with the developer with games like Let It Die. Suda announced that moving to NetEase Games was a decision made after he and staff talked together regarding their vision of making games. The transfer was made official under an agreement that he had signed in May of this year.
With this new partnership between the two companies, the thing that "resonated" between Suda and NetEase Games was regarding "developing more unique console games together" with Suda confident in this new future. The main thing that NetEase will be providing to Grasshopper Manufacture is business planning as well as funding for any game development. This includies providing other assets such as artists and technical experts for quality assurance, with Suda hoping this support can help Grasshopper make more quality titles in the next 10 years.
NetEase Games' message regarding the partnership was nothing but praise for Grasshopper Manufacture and Suda51's games, with the announcement acknowledging that many of its staff are huge fans of his works. This includes the various media and styles that he incorporates into these games, such as punk rock, cyberpunk, and other things. NetEase Games also praised the passionate creativity from Suda51, and that it would be honored to support his endeavors through additional resources to help create more incredible games.
The post from NetEase Games ends on the note of extending its hand to allow for other creators to join the company. This is evident with various developers joining the company, such as the creator of the Yakuza franchise leaving SEGA to join NetEase Games. Fans are hoping this new step for Suda51 and Grasshopper Manufacture can give them the same explosively creative and psychidelic games in the future.
Source: NetEase Games