Tencent, the Chinese tech giant, has significantly increased its investment in Kuro Games, the developer of the popular mobile games Wuthering Waves and Punishing: Gray Raven. This move grants Tencent majority ownership.
Tencent's Expanded Stake
Tencent's acquisition of an additional 37% stake brings its total shareholding in Kuro Games to 51.4%. This surpasses the 50% threshold, giving Tencent controlling interest and making it the sole external shareholder. This follows an initial investment made by Tencent in 2023.
Maintaining Independence
Despite the acquisition, Kuro Games assures continued operational independence. Internal sources, as reported by Youxi Putao, indicate that the studio will maintain its autonomy, mirroring Tencent's approach with other successful game developers like Riot Games (League of Legends, Valorant) and Supercell (Clash of Clans, Brawl Stars). Kuro Games' official statement emphasizes that this change fosters a "more stable external environment" and supports its long-term independence strategy. Tencent has not yet publicly commented on the acquisition.
Kuro Games' Success
Kuro Games has established itself as a prominent player in the mobile gaming market. Both Punishing: Gray Raven and Wuthering Waves have achieved remarkable financial success, each generating over $120 million USD in revenue. The company continues to provide updates and support for both titles, with Wuthering Waves even earning a Players’ Voice nomination at The Game Awards.
