Tencent Acquires Japanese Game Developer Wake Up Interactive

Tencent’s conquest of the gaming world continues; this time, they have got themselves another notable Nintendo Switch developer.

Chinese technology conglomerate Tencent Holdings has acquired a 90% controlling stake in digital entertainment developer Wake Up Interactive for 5 billion yen (about 44 million USD).

The sale took place back in September but hasn’t been made public yet. According to game consultant Serkan Toto, “Tencent does not see any advantage in announcing the deal as it doesn’t want to alert the competition and give them insight into their strategy.”

Wake Up Interactive is the parent company of the Tokyo-based game developer Soleil, who developed several Nintendo Switch hits like Ninjala and Samurai Jack: Battle Through Time. It also developed Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker.

Valhalla Game Studios, known for developing the Wii U exclusive Devil’s Third, is also part of the deal.

Tencent had previously acquired Riot Games, the developer of League of Legends and Valorant. The Chinese conglomerate also holds a minority stake in Fortnite developer Epic Games, for now, that is.

This is one of the several private deals Tencent has made to create a stronghold in Japan, as the Chinese government has cracked down on the industry with restrictions over playing time and distribution.

This kind of acquisition is rare for Tencent in Japan, as the company only makes small partnerships to secure publishing rights for future games. Platinum Games, known for Bayonetta and Bloodborne and Square Enix, the developer of Final Fantasy games, have such partnerships with the conglomerate.

Soleli has not announced any new projects based on the sale. Games currently in development such as Wanted: Dead and Vengeance is Mine are likely to be unaffected.

Source: Bloomberg