In recent months, Tencent Games has been making massive moves in the video games industry. After announcing a technically impressive cyberpunk shooter at its June conference, the Chinese conglomerate followed up with a reveal that it was working with The Pokemon Company on the upcoming Pokemon Unite MOBA. Despite these lucrative partnerships, recent reports suggest that the video game titan is looking to set down roots in the United States.
In a recent Reuters article, Tencent announced the launch of LightSpeed LA, a California-based studio. The social media and video game conglomerate confirmed that its latest venture was a part of Tencent Games' global company, Lightspeed and Quantum Studios, which developed PUBG Mobile.
According to the report, Tencent has been working to recruit major talents from popular studios for its American subsidiaries. Specifically, LightSpeed LA hired Rockstar manager Steve Martin, who oversaw hits like Red Dead Redemption 2, as its leader. Meanwhile, Tencent also placed 343 Industries' Scott Warner, the lead designer on Halo 4 at the head of its other American video game company, TiMi Studios.
While Tencent already has a strong foothold in the American video game sphere with its large stakes in both Riot and Epic Games, it is clear that the titan wants to establish a presence of its own. However, with the hatred that video game fans hold for the conglomerate, it may be difficult for Tencent to do so.
Source: Reuters