Chinese conglomerate continues expansion
Tencent Holdings Ltd — undaunted by China’s increasingly anti-video game stance — has announced that it is establishing a brand new publishing arm. “Level Infinite” is an in-house initiative that will be dedicated to global game distribution, development and technical assistance, and esports integration.
“Level Infinite’s launch represents the next stage in Tencent Games’ evolution as a global publisher and trusted brand,” said Michelle Liu, Global CEO of Tencent Games Global, in a statement to the press. “We look forward to bringing gamers high-quality titles wherever and however they play.”
Level Infinite’s business affairs will be conducted in offices established in both Singapore and Amsterdam, with remote staff working from across the globe. Many of the development studios and publishers recently purchased by Tencent are expected to operate under the Level Infinite publishing arm, with releases such as Sharkmob’s Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodhunt, 10 Chambers’ GTFO, Arena of Valor, and an as-yet-unannounced new project from Funcom. In addition, Level Infinite will work to provide support to an enormous portfolio of studios with which Tencent has invested.
Tencent’s continued efforts to expand beyond Asia and into global gaming as a whole has been readily apparent in recent years, as the holding company continues to offer financial investment and network support to studios such as Riot Games, Funcom, Supercell, Sumo Digital, Klei Entertainment, Yager Development, and Grinding Gear Games, while also investing notable stakes in Activision-Blizzard, Ubisoft, Dontnod Entertainment, Remedy Entertainment, Bohemia Interactive, Marvelous, and Epic Games.
