What Tencent's 'North Star' Strategy Means for Future RPGs
Tencent's long-term commitment could give studios the stability to iterate and eventually produce genre-defining hits, but recent closures and deal cancellations show the strategy isn't without risks.
Tencent's long-term commitment could give studios the stability to iterate and eventually produce genre-defining hits, but recent closures and deal cancellations show the strategy isn't without risks.
Key points - Tencent Games VP Yong-yi Zhu says Baldur's Gate 3 and Elden Ring are 'North Stars' for the company. - Tencent owns minority stakes in Larian and Kadokawa, FromSoftware's parent company. - Zhu emphasizes a long-term approach, citing Larian's and FromSoftware's multi-game evolution. - Tencent focuses on evergreen live service titles to weather industry fluctuations. - Tencent closed TiMi Montreal and backed out of multiple studio deals this year.
Timeline - Recent years: Tencent increases ownership in Kadokawa and FromSoftware. - 2023: Baldur's Gate 3 releases to massive success; Larian later splits with Wizards of the Coast. - 2022: Elden Ring launches, becoming a generational hit for FromSoftware. - 2024: Tencent closes TiMi Montreal and backs out of multiple studio deals.
FAQ
Q: What does Tencent mean by 'North Stars'? A: Tencent uses the term to describe games like Baldur's Gate 3 and Elden Ring as guiding examples of high-quality, genre-defining hits it hopes its studios can achieve.
Q: Does Tencent own Larian or FromSoftware? A: Tencent holds minority but significant shares in Larian and in Kadokawa, FromSoftware's parent company. It does not own them outright.
Q: How does Tencent plan to create the next big RPG? A: By investing in talented developers with unique visions, supporting them over multiple games, and focusing on evergreen live service titles to reduce risk.
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