NetEase Games Acquires Halo and Minecraft Co-Developer SkyBox Labs - News

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NetEase Games announced it has acquired Canadian-based developer SkyBox Labs.

The studio has co-developed games with Xbox Game Studios, Wizards of the Coast, and Electronic Arts. The list of games includes Halo Infinite, Minecraft, Age of Empires II HD expansions, EA Sports UFC, and more.

"Over the last decade, we’ve had the pleasure to work on beloved games such as Halo Infinite, Minecraft, and Fallout 76," said SkyBox Labs co-founder Shyang Kong . "We remain committed to growing our presence in Canada, supporting our current and future partners, and co-developing more AAA games for some of the biggest game studios around the world.

"We have built a team of talented individuals who are passionate and creative, and by joining NetEase Games, we will also be able to accelerate our plans to pursue new creative opportunities, and enjoy access to world-class operational resources and the full breadth and depth of NetEase’s services so we can scale faster in Canada."

NetEase Games president of global investment and partnerships Simon Zhu added, "We are thrilled to welcome SkyBox Labs to the NetEase Games family and are committed to creating an environment that allows them to thrive and operate independently as a game studio.

"We were impressed with their extensive experience in game development and are great admirers of their past work on some of the world’s leading franchises. We look forward to working with the SkyBox Labs co-founders and providing the resources needed to help them grow their presence in Canada as they continue to support top creators around the world in developing unforgettable gaming experiences for players."

A life-long and avid gamer, William D'Angelo was first introduced to VGChartz in 2007. After years of supporting the site, he was brought on in 2010 as a junior analyst, working his way up to lead analyst in 2012 and taking over the hardware estimates in 2017. He has expanded his involvement in the gaming community by producing content on his own YouTube channel and Twitch channel. You can contact the author on Twitter @TrunksWD.

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34 Comments

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G2ThaUNiT (on 06 January 2023)

Microsoft had years to put a ring on SkyBox's finger but chose not to.

Should've picked them up when you had the chances. Along with Certain Affinity, probably NetEase's next target, SkyBox is a crucial support studio, and has been for years. Hopefully this doesn't affect development.

• +4

Ayla (on 06 January 2023)

These types of studios are a dime a dozen. No major loss here.

• +2

DonFerrari (on 06 January 2023)

This is a studio that would rather have MS purchasing.

• +2

G2ThaUNiT DonFerrari (on 06 January 2023)

100%! MS should've been locking down historical support studios like SkyBox instead of going after the big fish like ActiBlizz. Like yes, there are benefits of getting ActiBlizz, especially for the better work conditions for employees and obviously Game Pass, but this deal has their hands tied. They missed out on studios like Eidos-Montreal (assisting on Fable) and Crystal Dynamics (co-developing Perfect Dark) for practically pennies, and now SkyBox. I'm sure Xbox was well aware that SkyBox was looking to sell, but there was nothing they could do about it.

Makes me wonder if NetEase will go after other historical Xbox support studios that are still independent like Certain Affinity.

• +2

VAMatt G2ThaUNiT (on 06 January 2023)

But these studios are still available to assist Xbox, at least in some cases.

• +1

DonFerrari VAMatt (on 06 January 2023)

True, but being under a major third party group it will be harder to tie them down on a support for an exclusive imho.

• 0

DonFerrari G2ThaUNiT (on 06 January 2023)

Well it isn't impossible that NetEase reaches out to MS after the ABK deal is over an offer them those studios for a premium.

• 0

Pemalite G2ThaUNiT (on 06 January 2023)

Microsoft can't really do purchases right now while they are potentially under investigation.

But yes, those studios should have been purchased.

• +1

Loneken DonFerrari (on 06 January 2023)

Yes.

• 0

ClassicGamingWizzz DonFerrari (on 06 January 2023)

Its not their type of deals, they dont invest in talented devs if there is just talented devs, the most important thing is to buy studios with a bunch of known ips.

• -12

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Azzanation ClassicGamingWizzz (on 06 January 2023)

Because studios like Obsidian and Ninja Theory arent talented?

• 0

ClassicGamingWizzz Azzanation (on 07 January 2023)

Where did i said they are not talented ? Or where did i said ANY studio they bought are not talented? Wait dont bother to replie i dont care.

• -7

Azzanation ClassicGamingWizzz (on 07 January 2023)

You literally said, "They dont invest in talented dev"

• +2

ClassicGamingWizzz Azzanation (on 07 January 2023)

And what i said next to it you dont read?

• 0

Azzanation ClassicGamingWizzz (on 08 January 2023)

Still wrong, because they have brought plenty of Devs with just talent.

• 0

Paatar Azzanation (on 08 January 2023)

Y’all can’t read. He said they don’t invest in talented devs if the studio in question is just talented devs with no IP to go along with it.

• +1

G2ThaUNiT Paatar (on 08 January 2023)

Yeah, and he’s still wrong lol. I really hate comments regarding Xbox that have no knowledge about them lol. Anyone that even glances at the studios under Xbox would know that almost none of the studios Xbox acquired had any IP’s yet still have some legendary developers. ZeniMax being the only exception since they obviously did come with both.

• +1

Paatar G2ThaUNiT (on 08 January 2023)

Him being wrong on that account isn't what I'm arguing. Y'all still can't read. Im not defending his statement, just reiterating what he said... cause wow people.

• -1

Azzanation Paatar (on 08 January 2023)

His wrong regardless of the quote and does not justify his post in any way shape or form. MS literally brought plenty of talented Devs with little IPs attached. End of story.

• 0

crissindahouse ClassicGamingWizzz (on 07 January 2023)

Wat? They bought Compulsion Games, inXile, Obsidian, Playground, Double Fine, Ninja Theory and Undead Labs the last 4-5 years. You could argue a big part of the Bethesda deal was also about purchasing talent and not only for IPs. ActivisonBlizzard is the only planned deal where it's maybe more about IPs and not talent

• +2

DonFerrari crissindahouse (on 09 January 2023)

And these studios hadn't IPs to their name?

• 0

crissindahouse DonFerrari (on 09 January 2023)

The question is if MS bought them for their IPs or their talent and I'm pretty sure that most studios got bought for the people behind and not the IPs which MS wanted so badly.

Bethesda is a combination of both. They have many IPs but you also know that they can work on new IPs as well. Activision is probably more about some well known IPs and to grow on mobile...

• 0

2zosteven (on 07 January 2023)

Amazing how many people here could run Microsoft better than the current leadership

• +1

DonFerrari 2zosteven (on 09 January 2023)

This is scaring right?

• 0

2zosteven DonFerrari (on 09 January 2023)

yes

• 0

DialgaMarine 2zosteven (on 09 January 2023)

If we’re being objectively honest, Xbox’s current leadership isn’t all that great.

• -2

hellobion2 (on 25 November 2023)

Good article!

• 0

Vengeance1138 (on 06 January 2023)

Something MS could use far more than AB, support studios. Huge loss for MS. Can't see the forest through the trees.

• -2

DonFerrari Vengeance1138 (on 06 January 2023)

Reason why I said MS buying ABK is more for IPs than manpower itself.

• +1

Azzanation DonFerrari (on 06 January 2023)

They get both with ABK

• 0

VAMatt Vengeance1138 (on 06 January 2023)

How did MS lose anything here? This remains a support studio, so they can still work with them.

• +8

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Hynad KratosLives (on 07 January 2023)

That’s an utterly stupid comment.

• -4