Tencent's acquisition of a 51% stake in Kuro Games, the developer behind the popular action RPG Wuthering Waves, marks a significant expansion of its gaming portfolio. This follows earlier rumors and confirms Tencent's purchase of a 37% share from Hero Entertainment, making it the sole external shareholder.
Kuro Games has reassured its employees that its operational independence will remain intact, mirroring Tencent's approach with other studios like Riot Games and Supercell. This strategy emphasizes maintaining creative control within acquired studios.
This acquisition is consistent with Tencent's history of strategic investments in the gaming industry. Its extensive portfolio already includes stakes in major players such as Ubisoft, Activision Blizzard, and FromSoftware, highlighting its significant influence in the global gaming market. The investment in Kuro Games significantly strengthens Tencent's position in the adventure RPG sector.
Wuthering Waves itself continues to thrive, with the current version 1.4 update introducing the Somnoire: Illusive Realms mode, new characters, weapons, and upgrades. Further bolstering player engagement, version 2.0 is on the horizon, promising a new explorable nation, Rinascita, additional characters (Carlotta and Roccia), and a highly anticipated PlayStation 5 launch, ensuring availability across all major platforms.
Tencent's investment provides Kuro Games with enhanced long-term stability, paving the way for future growth and development of Wuthering Waves and subsequent projects. The influx of resources promises to further elevate the game's quality and reach.