Grasshopper Manufacture has announced that it has split from NetEase Games, and become an independent developer once more. NetEase initially acquired Grasshopper from GungHo Entertainment in 2021.
In a press release, Suda51, the CEO of Grasshopper Manufacture, reflects on the decision:
“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.”
Earlier this year, Grashopper released ROMEO IS A DEAD MAN for $49.99 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC via Steam. It was self-published by Grasshopper Manufacture, and was a contributor in the company’s new independent status. Final Weapon reviewed ROMEO IS A DEAD MAN and awarded it a 4/5 score, noting that the game has a “wacky and confident vision” that will have fans raving for years to come.
Grasshopper Manufacture is in talks with various companies for a physical release of ROMEO IS A DEAD MAN. Suda51 also recently shared an update on ROMEO IS A DEAD MAN for Nintendo Switch 2, stating that the developers are “doing what we can to make it happen.” While Grasshopper initially stated earlier this year that it would release another game before the end of 2026, it is unknown if it still plans to do so.
