NetEase Acquires France’s Quantic Dream in Gaming Expansion

NetEase and deeper-pocketed rival Tencent are now accelerating their international endeavors after a Chinese government crackdown depressed growth prospects at home.

(Bloomberg) — NetEase Inc. acquired French game developer and publisher Quantic Dream SA, the companies said Wednesday in a statement.

China’s biggest games distributor after Tencent Holdings Ltd., NetEase is stepping up the international expansion of its gaming business to counter economic and regulatory headwinds at home. With Quantic Dream, it secures its first studio in Europe and the developer of a coming game in the Star Wars franchise.