Grasshopper Manufacture, Suda51's studio, parts ways with NetEase and becomes independent
, by Thibaut
Founded in March 1998 in Tokyo by Goichi Suda, also known by the pseudonym Suda51, Grasshopper Manufacture was acquired by NetEase in 2021. However, for several months now, the Chinese giant has been scaling back its investments in the gaming sector.
This week, the developer known for ROMEO IS A DEAD MAN, No More Heroes, and Let it Die announced that it has regained its independence. Here is the press release issued to explain this decision.
"This past February, Grasshopper Manufacture released its latest title, ROMEO IS A DEAD MAN, and celebrated its 28th anniversary in March. Thanks to the support of players worldwide, ROMEO IS A DEAD MAN received high acclaim and great reviews. Our whole studio would like to extend our sincerest thanks to everyone who enjoyed the game, and to everyone who worked tirelessly toward making its release possible.
Having finally completed this all-hands project, as we reflected on the next stage of Grasshopper Manufacture’s future, we found a strong desire to deliver titles in an even wider variety of styles to video game lovers everywhere. As such, Grasshopper Manufacture has chosen to move forward with as an independent developer once again.
This decision was reached after thorough discussions with NetEase Games, and with their generous cooperation. We continue to cherish the amazing relationship our companies have built, and look forward to further collaboration when the opportunity arises. Having improved our own self-publishing know-how, we now have a broad range of options available to us, and regardless of how our games may be published we remain committed to creating unique titles featuring the “NO GAME NO LIFE” gaming experience expected of Grasshopper Manufacture with our own signature flavor and further enhanced quality.
We hope you will continue to watch over Grasshopper Manufacture as we make this next leap forward and move on to our upcoming 30th anniversary and beyond. We sincerely hope for and deeply appreciate your ongoing support for our studio and the titles we will create in the future."