Grasshopper Manufacture says it became independent of NetEase Games effective October 1, 2026. The studio has not named its post-separation shareholders, and its September announcement said board-related procedures were still underway. So the confirmed change is that Grasshopper is no longer a NetEase subsidiary—not who owns its shares now.
Who owns Grasshopper Manufacture now?
Grasshopper Manufacture announced on September 30, 2026, that it would move forward as an independent developer effective October 1. Its statement calls NetEase Games its “former parent company.” It does not identify the studio’s current shareholders or describe the completed legal structure of the separation. WorthPlaying’s report reproducing Goichi Suda’s statement says procedures, including board-member changes, were still in progress when it was issued.
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That leaves an important distinction: the announcement establishes that Grasshopper is no longer a NetEase subsidiary, but it does not establish who holds its shares. “Independent” describes the studio’s separation from NetEase and its stated operating and publishing options; by itself, the word does not reveal the shareholding or governance details.
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| Period | What the sources establish |
|---|---|
| 2021 | NetEase announced an equity transfer agreement signed May 31, 2021, under which Grasshopper would join NetEase Games. The companies said NetEase would advise on business planning and fund development, while Grasshopper handled creative work and game production. NetEase’s announcement |
| 2024 | NetEase’s Form 20-F said it acquired Grasshopper in 2021. NetEase’s 2024 filing |
| Effective October 1, 2026 | Grasshopper said it had chosen to become independent from its former parent, NetEase. Its statement did not disclose new shareholders or completed board changes. WorthPlaying’s report reproducing the statement |
The 2021 description of funding and business-planning support explains the arrangement the companies announced at the time. It does not establish the precise funding, control or governance arrangements in place just before the 2026 separation.
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What independence means for Grasshopper’s games and publishing
Grasshopper says it decided to move forward independently after finishing ROMEO IS A DEAD MAN and considering the studio’s future. It wants to make games in a wider variety of styles. The studio also says its experience with self-publishing improved during the NetEase period, giving it a broader range of publishing options. It has not named a new publisher, financing arrangement or distribution deal in the cited announcement.
That broader choice does not mean every future Grasshopper game will necessarily be self-published. The studio’s statement says it values its relationship with NetEase and would welcome collaboration again if an opportunity arises. The separation is therefore not an announced ban on future business with NetEase.
In the announcement, Goichi Suda, identified as Representative Director and CEO, wrote: “As such, Grasshopper Manufacture has chosen to move forward with as an independent developer once again.” He also said the decision followed “thorough discussions with NetEase Games” and its “generous cooperation.”
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Grasshopper’s official company page says it was established in 1998 and has developed more than 25 home-console titles. Grasshopper Manufacture’s company page identifies Goichi Suda as CEO and game designer. NetEase’s 2024 filing likewise described the Tokyo-based studio as a console-focused developer with more than 20 years of experience and over 25 games. Those figures are company and filing descriptions, not independent assessments of the games.
Grasshopper’s September 2026 statement says ROMEO IS A DEAD MAN was released in February 2026 and that the studio celebrated its 28th anniversary in March. Xbox Wire’s February 9, 2026 interview identified it as a Grasshopper game and said its Xbox Series X|S release was scheduled for February 11, 2026. Xbox Wire’s interview and product listing establish the Xbox listing; they do not establish a physical Xbox edition or a retailer listing.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What remains undisclosed
- Current shareholders: Grasshopper’s independence announcement does not name them.
- Final board composition: The statement said board-member procedures were underway; it did not provide the completed lineup.
- Separation terms: The announcement does not state a sale price or explain the legal mechanics in detail.
- Future publishing partners: The studio says its options have broadened, but does not name a new partner or specify how upcoming games will be published.
Without a later company statement or a current corporate record, claims about specific owners or the final board structure go beyond what the announcement establishes.
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