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Grasshopper Manufacture says it became independent of NetEase Games on October 1, 2026. The studio has not disclosed who owns its shares after the separation, and its announcement said board-related procedures were still underway. So the confirmed change is that Grasshopper is no longer a NetEase subsidiary—not that a new owner or final corporate structure has been publicly identified.
Who owns Grasshopper Manufacture now?
As of its September 30, 2026 announcement, Grasshopper Manufacture describes NetEase Games as its former parent and says the studio’s independence took effect October 1, 2026. The announcement does not identify post-separation shareholders. It also says procedures, including changes to board members, were still in progress when it was issued. WorthPlaying’s reproduction of the studio statement is the source for those details.
That leaves an important distinction: the statement establishes separation from NetEase, but it does not reveal who holds Grasshopper’s shares now or what its completed board looks like. “Independent” describes the studio’s move away from its former parent and its stated operating and publishing options; it is not, on its own, a disclosure of the legal mechanics, sale price, or new ownership.
How Grasshopper’s relationship with NetEase changed
Grasshopper was established in 1998, according to its official company profile, which identifies Goichi Suda as CEO and game designer. NetEase announced in 2021 that Grasshopper would join NetEase Games under an equity transfer agreement signed May 31 of that year. The companies described NetEase as providing business-planning advice and development funding, while Grasshopper handled game creativity and production. NetEase’s 2021 announcement also said the studio would retain creative freedom.
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NetEase’s 2024 Form 20-F later described Grasshopper as an acquisition completed in 2021. NetEase’s investor-relations filing archive is the source for that filing. These records establish the prior parent-subsidiary relationship; they do not establish that the arrangements described in 2021 continued unchanged through 2026.
What independence means for the studio
Grasshopper says the decision followed completion of ROMEO IS A DEAD MAN and consideration of the studio’s future. Suda’s statement says the company wants to make games in a wider variety of styles. It also says Grasshopper gained self-publishing know-how during its time with NetEase and now has a broader range of publishing options. The studio’s stated aim is to continue making distinctive games in its own style, rather than announcing a specific new publisher, financing arrangement, or distribution deal.
The announcement does not frame the separation as a permanent end to all business with NetEase. Grasshopper says it values the relationship and would welcome collaboration again if an opportunity arises. Accordingly, independence means the studio is no longer a NetEase subsidiary; it does not rule out a future project or other cooperation.
What the change means for Grasshopper games
ROMEO IS A DEAD MAN is relevant context for the decision: Grasshopper’s statement says the game was released in February 2026. 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. Xbox Wire’s interview and product listing document that platform release.
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Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallGrasshopper’s stated publishing flexibility could give it more ways to bring future projects to market, but the independence announcement does not name a publisher or describe a specific release plan. NetEase’s former role in funding development and advising on planning is historical context, not proof of how Grasshopper will finance or publish its next games.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Grasshopper Manufacture at a glance
Grasshopper’s official profile says the company was established in 1998 and has developed more than 25 home-console titles. NetEase’s 2024 filing described it as a Tokyo-based, console-focused developer with more than 20 years of experience and over 25 games. These are company and filing descriptions, not independent measures of a game’s quality. In its September 2026 statement, Grasshopper also said it celebrated its 28th anniversary in March 2026.
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