Goichi Suda, head of Grasshopper Manufacture, announced on September 30 that the studio will once again operate as an independent developer. NetEase had acquired the studio, known for the No More Heroes series, in 2021.
Goichi Suda stated that after the team completed Romeo Is Dead, a project involving all members, they reconsidered their direction for the next phase, aiming to release works with more diverse styles. He mentioned that the decision to go independent was made after thorough discussions with NetEase Games, which offered its cooperation. Both parties value their previous collaboration and hope to continue working together in the future if opportunities arise.
Grasshopper Manufacture self-published Romeo Is Dead earlier this year. Suda believes the game received high acclaim, though he did not disclose sales figures. He stated that the studio gained more experience in self-publishing through this effort, opening up broader distribution options for future games. Regardless of the approach chosen, the team still plans to create titles with their unique characteristics.
This change comes as NetEase adjusts its investments in Japanese game development. Earlier this year, NetEase ceased funding support for the first title from Nagoshi Studio. Another studio backed by NetEase, GPTRACK50, will also self-publish its upcoming release.