A new studio called AnchorPoint Studios has been announced, founded by Paul Ehreth in partnership with NetEase Games.
The studio is poised to make a triple-A action-adventure game, but it’s unclear what they’re working on. In case you don’t know, Ehreth is the lead designer behind Control. He also gets special credit in Halo 5, so has some solid credibility behind the wheel of this new venture.
AnchorPoint Studios will have two studios, one in Barcelona and one in Seattle. Not only is this a new studio with some heavy hitters, but it’s also the latest example of NetEase’s expansion into Western game development.
Earlier this year, they opened a UK studio called Spliced, which employs veterans from Epic Games, Rockstar and EA. They’ve also made a big move in terms of IP creation, hiring the creative directors of Watch Dogs 1 and 2 and placing them in a new studio in Montreal.
It is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore the moves of major Chinese players in video games. Games like Naraka Bladepoint continue to develop their own audiences, and there’s a steady stream of new projects looking to do the same. While they’ve yet to release a game that’s truly captured the hearts of Western audiences, they show no signs of slowing down despite the sluggish international economy.
NetEase, on the other hand, also recently found their partnership with Activision Blizzard falling apart in China. NetEase has reportedly filed a $43.5 million lawsuit against the companies over the fallout from that particular incident.
What is your opinion on AnchorPoitn Studios? Are you excited about its work and NetEase’s broader expansion? Let us know your thoughts below.
