Canadian firm SkyBox Labs is co-developing Halo Infinite for Microsoft’s Xbox. NetEase acquired SkyBox Labs as a part of an aggressive international push and because it eyes a slice of the console market.
Patrick T. Fallon | Bloomberg | Getty Images
NetEase announced on Friday it had acquired Canadian gaming studio SkyBox Labs which is co-developing major games including Halo Infinite, because the Chinese technology giant continues its aggressive international push.
SkyBox Labs will operate independently under NetEase, China’s second-biggest gaming company. The 2 corporations didn’t disclose the financial terms of the deal.
NetEase has ramped up its international expansion efforts in gaming during the last two years as China’s domestic market has slowed amid tougher regulation.
While its rival Tencent has been more energetic in acquiring gaming studios previously, NetEase is trying to meet up with an aggressive international push.
The corporate purchased French game developer Quantic Dream last 12 months, marking the establishment of its first fully owned studio in Europe. NetEase has also arrange gaming studios in Japan and the U.S.
It has focused on investing in or acquiring corporations which have worked on strong franchises and types. SkyBox Labs matches the bill: the Canadian firm has worked with gaming firms including Xbox Game Studios and Electronic Arts.
SkyBox Labs is currently co-developing Halo Infinite and dealing on projects with Minecraft.
NetEase has already released mobile games based on the Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings franchises.
The corporate said it should support SkyBox Labs with “resources and execution capabilities in order that SkyBox Labs can achieve faster scale while maintaining the standard of labor the studio is understood for.”
While NetEase has typically focused on mobile and PC gaming, the corporate has set its sights on becoming a serious player in consoles too — an area SkyBox Labs is big in.
NetEase said SkyBox Labs “will proceed to operate independently, working closely with existing and recent partners to pursue creative opportunities and co-develop titles within the PC and console space.”