Tencent has taken a significant step in expanding its influence within the gaming industry by acquiring a 51% controlling stake in Kuro Games, the creators of the popular RPG, Wuthering Waves. This move comes at an exciting time, as Wuthering Waves is gearing up for a major update next month, promising to keep fans engaged with fresh content.
Rumors of Tencent's interest in Kuro Games surfaced in March, but the deal was only recently finalized. Tencent secured its majority stake by purchasing a 37% share from Hero Entertainment, positioning itself as the sole external shareholder of Kuro Games.
Despite the shift in ownership, Kuro Games has reassured its employees through an internal memo that it will continue to operate independently, mirroring the structure Tencent has maintained with other studios like Riot Games and Supercell. This approach ensures that Kuro Games retains creative control over its projects.
Tencent's acquisition strategy is well-known, with significant investments in companies such as Ubisoft, Activision Blizzard, and FromSoftware. Adding Kuro Games to its portfolio strengthens Tencent's foothold in the adventure RPG genre.
Wuthering Waves has been thriving with its recent updates. The current version 1.4, titled Somnoire: Illusive Realms, has introduced new gameplay modes and characters, along with various weapons and upgrades. Players can also take advantage of Wuthering Waves codes to claim free rewards.
Looking forward, the upcoming version 2.0 update is set to expand the game's universe with the introduction of Rinascita, a new nation for players to explore. This update will also feature new characters, Carlotta and Roccia, and mark the game's debut on the PlayStation 5, making Wuthering Waves accessible across all major platforms.
With Tencent's resources backing Kuro Games, the studio's future looks promising, ensuring long-term stability and continued development for Wuthering Waves and future projects.