"NO GAME NO LIFE": Grasshopper Manufacture have leapt from the jaws of NetEase and gone indie again
Grasshopper Manufacture, creators of No More Heroes and Killer7, have left NetEase to operate independently, citing creative freedom and self-publishing experience.
Grasshopper Manufacture, the studio behind No More Heroes and Killer7, has announced its separation from NetEase, the company that acquired it in 2021 through the purchase of Gungho Online Entertainment. Founder Goichi "Suda51" Suda stated the move aims to deliver games in a wider variety of styles, though NetEase has not commented on the decision.
Suda emphasized that the split followed thorough discussions with NetEase Games, which cooperated generously, and expressed appreciation for their past collaboration. He highlighted Grasshopper’s improved self-publishing capabilities as a key factor in the studio’s independence.
The announcement follows NetEase’s recent retrenchments, including the closure of T-Minus Zero in September and the cancellation of Toshihiro Nagoshi’s Gang of Dragon in March, though financial results appear unaffected. Grasshopper has not disclosed sales figures for its recent title, Romeo is a Dead Man, which may indicate modest commercial performance.
Grasshopper Manufacture has a history of unconventional games, including The Silver Case, Michigan: Report from Hell, and Lollipop Chainsaw. The studio’s latest release, Romeo is a Dead Man, was described by one reviewer as an initially chaotic but ultimately assured hack-and-slash experience.