Cell gaming large Tencent has introduced the acquisition of Japanese visible novel developer and writer Visible Arts, in addition to a number of multimedia tasks.
The transfer comes as Visible Arts CEO Takahro Baba retires from his position. In a weblog publish on the corporate’s web site, Baba wrote: “I wish to run this glorious firm ceaselessly if I can. However, as anticipated, I’m 63 years outdated this yr. After all, I am in good well being now, and I nonetheless wish to work, however I’ve reached an age the place something can occur at any time. By the best way, if one thing occurs to me, regardless that it’s a inventory firm, it’s a personal firm with 100% of the shares owned by the Baba household, and there’s no appropriate successor, so I can’t take over the corporate.
“There is no such thing as a different method however to fold it. If that occurs, not solely the actions and way forward for the corporate, but in addition the rights to great works and songs could be wiped away. No, it ought to be averted in any respect prices.”
A wave of M&A
With a purpose to protect the corporate’s pursuits ought to one thing occur to him, Baba subsequently transferred his shares to Tencent as a part of the transfer, with long-time producer, director, and situation author Genki Tenkumo getting into the position of CEO. Baba will stay on the firm in an advisory capability.
The acquisition is the most recent in a string closed by Tencent. The corporate acquired Dying Gentle developer Techland earlier this week, and July has additionally seen the corporate take possession of Destruction All-Stars creator Lucid Video games.
These acquisitions have largely seen Tencent increasing its pursuits outdoors of its conventional cell focus and profiting from a number of income streams. Visible Arts has beforehand created video games for cell units, most just lately with the discharge of Heaven Burns Crimson in 2022. The transfer may subsequently see the corporate develop extra titles for telephones than ever earlier than.
We listed Tencent as one of many prime 50 cell sport makers of 2022. We’ll be releasing our checklist for 2023 within the coming months.
