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 publish on the corporate’s web site, Baba wrote: “I need to run this glorious firm without end if I can. However, as anticipated, I’m 63 years previous this yr. In fact, I am in good well being now, and I nonetheless need 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, despite the fact 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 isn’t any different approach however to fold it. If that occurs, not solely the actions and way forward for the corporate, but additionally the rights to great works and songs might be wiped away. No, it ought to be prevented in any respect prices.”
A wave of M&A
In an effort 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 situation author Genki Tenkumo entering 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 Mild 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 exterior of its conventional cellular focus and making the most of a number of income streams. Visible Arts has beforehand created video games for cellular gadgets, most not too long ago with the discharge of Heaven Burns Purple 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 recreation makers of 2022. We’ll be releasing our listing for 2023 within the coming months.
