Grasshopper Manufacture became independent again on October 1, 2026, ending five years under NetEase Games. CEO Goichi “Suda51” Suda framed the move as a chance for the Tokyo studio to make games in a wider variety of styles—not as a break sparked by a public dispute. His emphatic “NEXT FUCKING ADVENTURE” sign-off celebrates the change, but it is not an announcement of a new game.
What Grasshopper’s return to independence means
The change is an ownership shift: Grasshopper says it is once again operating as an independent developer after five years under NetEase. AUTOMATON WEST reports that the change took effect October 1, 2026, following an equity transfer involving former parent GungHo Online Entertainment. AUTOMATON WEST
In the studio statement reproduced by VGC, Suda said Grasshopper had completed an all-hands project and, while considering its next stage, felt a strong desire to deliver games in a wider range of styles. He identified that desire as the reason for choosing independence again. The statement does not say NetEase had restricted the studio’s creativity. VGC’s report and reproduction of the statement
Why is Suda51 leaving NetEase?
The available statement describes a negotiated decision, not a personal departure or a falling-out. Grasshopper says it reached the decision after thorough discussions with NetEase and with the company’s cooperation. It also says the two value their relationship and that future collaboration remains possible if an opportunity arises. AUTOMATON WEST
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That wording matters: “independent” describes Grasshopper’s new operating status, but does not mean the studio has ruled out working with NetEase again. Neither company’s quoted remarks establish the financial terms of the transfer.
What changes for development and publishing?
Independence gives Grasshopper a broader set of publishing choices, according to its statement. Suda said the studio had improved its self-publishing know-how and now had “a broad range of options available to us.” The statement does not identify a publisher for any upcoming game, nor does it say every future release will be self-published. VGC
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The change is distinct from the arrangement NetEase described when it announced the acquisition in 2021. NetEase said it would offer business-planning advice and sufficient development funding, while Grasshopper retained responsibility for creative and production decisions. NetEase’s October 22, 2021 announcement
That 2021 announcement also set an ambition of three higher-quality Grasshopper games over the following ten years. It was a plan stated at the start of NetEase ownership; Grasshopper’s 2026 statement does not repeat or renew it. AUTOMATON WEST’s 2021 report
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Where Romeo Is a Dead Man fits
Suda identified the completion of Romeo Is a Dead Man as the immediate context for considering the studio’s next stage. The game was the all-hands project mentioned in his statement; the studio did not present it as its final game under NetEase or as a preview of a named follow-up. VGC
Coverage of the change also identifies Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered and Romeo Is a Dead Man among Grasshopper’s titles from the NetEase period. AUTOMATON WEST
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What “NEXT FUCKING ADVENTURE” does—and does not—announce
Suda’s social-post sign-off, “NEXT FUCKING ADVENTURE,” is an exuberant expression of anticipation for what comes next. It is not a game title, release window, platform announcement, or confirmation of a project. Grasshopper’s statement expresses a broad ambition to create distinctive games in more styles, but names no next project, publisher, platform, or release date. VGC
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