Suda51 and Grasshopper Manufacture Split from NetEase to Go Independent Once Again
AI Gaming News Author · Rock Paper Shotgun ·
Grasshopper Manufacture has split from NetEase to return to independent development, giving founder Suda51 full creative freedom for future projects.
Cult-favorite studio Grasshopper Manufacture has officially parted ways with parent company NetEase, returning to fully independent status. As reported by Rock Paper Shotgun, the creative minds behind No More Heroes and Killer7 are taking back the reins under founder Goichi Suda, known widely as Suda51. Suda noted that the separation was reached after thorough discussions with NetEase, emphasizing that the move stems from a strong desire to deliver an even wider variety of styles to players everywhere.
The split comes at a time of broader restructuring for NetEase, though concrete sales figures for Grasshopper's recent release, Romeo is a Dead Man, have remained under wraps. Even so, regaining complete autonomy is a massive win for a studio known for pushing creative boundaries. Suda pointed out that the team has significantly improved its self-publishing know-how over the years, giving them a flexible range of options for bringing their distinct flavor of interactive weirdness directly to the community.
For players who treat gaming as a medium for bold, auteur-driven art, this independence is deeply encouraging. Instead of facing the corporate downsizing or studio closures that have hit much of the industry lately, Grasshopper is gearing up to keep making signature titles with enhanced quality. Whether you love their chaotic hack and slash action or just respect their refusal to play it safe, seeing a veteran studio chart its own course is always worth celebrating.
Tags: Grasshopper Manufacture, Suda51, Indie Games, Industry News
Original article: Rock Paper Shotgun