Cellular gaming large Tencent has introduced the acquisition of Japanese visible novel developer and writer Visible Arts, in addition to a number of multimedia initiatives.
The transfer comes as Visible Arts CEO Takahro Baba retires from his position. In a weblog put up on the corporate’s web site, Baba wrote: “I wish to run this excellent firm eternally if I can. However, as anticipated, I’m 63 years previous 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 non-public firm with 100% of the shares owned by the Baba household, and there’s no appropriate successor, so I cannot take over the corporate.
“There isn’t any different means 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 needs to be averted in any respect prices.”
A wave of M&A
As a way to protect the corporate’s pursuits ought to one thing occur to him, Baba due to this fact transferred his shares to Tencent as a part of the transfer, with long-time producer, director, and state of affairs author Genki Tenkumo moving into the position of CEO. Baba will stay on the firm in an advisory capability.
The acquisition is the newest 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 cellular focus and benefiting from a number of income streams. Visible Arts has beforehand created video games for cellular units, most just lately with the discharge of Heaven Burns Crimson in 2022. The transfer might due to this fact see the corporate develop extra titles for telephones than ever earlier than.
We listed Tencent as one of many prime 50 cellular sport makers of 2022. We’ll be releasing our record for 2023 within the coming months.
