Grasshopper Manufacture Becomes Independent from NetEase Games

Grasshopper Manufacture, the Japanese game studio founded by Goichi "Suda51" Suda, has officially announced its independence from NetEase Games, effective October 1, 2026. This decision comes after a five-year period during which Grasshopper was owned by NetEase, following an acquisition from GungHo Online Entertainment in 2021. During its time under NetEase, Grasshopper developed two titles: "Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered" in 2024 and "Romeo is a Dead Man" in 2026. Suda stated that the decision to become independent was made after thorough discussions with NetEase, which provided generous support throughout their partnership. He emphasized a strong desire to deliver a wider variety of game styles to players, reflecting the studio's commitment to its unique philosophy of "NO GAME NO LIFE." Grasshopper has gained significant experience in self-publishing and is open to future collaborations with other studios and publishers, including NetEase. As the studio approaches its 30th anniversary, Suda expressed gratitude for the continued support from fans and affirmed their dedication to creating distinctive games that resonate with their audience.