Read more from Author Brent Dubin here: https://globelivemedia.com/author/brent-dubin/
Still as active in terms of investments, the giant Tencent has just announced a new operation. This concerns Klei Entertainment, a development studio based in Vancouver.
If you’ve got your hands on Don’t Starve, Griftlands, Shank, or Oxygen Not Included, then you’ve already dealt with this Canadian studio. Modest in size, Klei Entertainment therefore passes under the control of Tencent, even if the creative and managerial freedom should remain intact. In any case, this is what Jamie Cheng, founder of the studio, declares in a publication available on Klei’s forum :
As part of this deal, Klei retains full creative and operating autonomy in all aspects of the studio, including projects, talent, etc. there are boring accounting changes that we will have to adapt to. Other than that, I will continue to run the studio as before, with no changes in staff, projects or other operations.
Klei has been around for 15 years, and we’ve made a lot of changes over the years to respond to a changing world. My wish has always been to allow people to do the best possible creative work, to learn and grow, not to have to worry about finances and to be able to enjoy their life outside of the studio. It hasn’t changed. This partnership will help us navigate a changing industry, and help us focus on what we do best: creating unique experiences that no one else can (create).
Jamie Cheng also recalls that Klei Entertainment has been working with Tencent for over 4 years, and that this helped launch Don’t Starve Together in China. So, the controlling stake acquired by Tencent shouldn’t fundamentally change the way Klei acts there, even if Jamie Cheng hopes that it will make it possible to better support local partners.