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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Tencent Games executive Yong-yi Zhu says Larian and FromSoftware are “North Stars” because they show what long-term genre focus and craft can achieve—not because Tencent plans to copy Baldur’s Gate 3 or Elden Ring. His stated ambition is to work with teams that have distinctive visions and help them pursue category leadership across multiple releases, provided Tencent sees progress.
What Tencent means by “North Stars”
In an interview with The Game Business, as reported by GamesRadar+, Zhu described Larian and FromSoftware as examples of studios that stayed focused on particular genres and refined their work over time. The metaphor points to a model of studio development: distinctive creative direction, sustained attention to a genre, and improvement from one game to the next.
Zhu said Tencent looks for “high-quality talent” and people “bringing unique visions,” adding that the company likes to work with developers “trying to hone their craft.” He was describing the qualities Tencent says it values in development partners, not announcing a specific slate of projects.
The studio paths Zhu cited
| Studio | Sequence Zhu cited | What it illustrates in his account |
|---|---|---|
| Larian | Multiple Divinity games leading to Baldur’s Gate 3 | Experience within a genre and continued development of the studio’s craft. |
| FromSoftware | Demon’s Souls, Dark Souls, Bloodborne, then Elden Ring | A sustained focus on a genre, with iteration across releases. |
These are the examples Zhu chose to make his point, not complete catalogs of either studio’s work. Nor does the comparison make their creative identities interchangeable: the report presents both as distinct teams whose work developed through different games.
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Does Tencent want to make the next Larian or FromSoftware?
Zhu’s remarks describe a long-term commitment to developers, not a confirmed plan to reproduce either studio or its games. He said Tencent wants to work with a team that believes it can become “the category leader in this particular genre”—whether that takes “today, two games from now, or three games from now”—provided the company can see progress.
He also stressed that the examples were not overnight successes. That framing makes the point about development over time: Tencent’s stated interest is in helping a team build expertise and a recognizable vision across releases, rather than demanding an immediate hit or a copy of Baldur’s Gate 3 or Elden Ring.
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- Exclusive Deluxe Edition Content: Includes a physical copy of Baldur's Gate 3 for PS5, along with bonus digital and physical items such as a soundtrack, art book, map, and exclusive in-game items like skins, weapons, or cosmetics.
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How this fits Tencent’s broader game strategy
Zhu contrasted premium games released every few years with evergreen live-service games in Tencent’s portfolio. He said the recurring cadence of evergreen titles provides some insulation from industry-wide swings. That is his assessment of the portfolio, not an independently established guarantee against market risk.
He also described Tencent’s approach to project risk: keeping teams smaller during concepting and pre-production, which he characterized as the riskier phase. The remarks offer a broad account of how the company thinks about developing games; they do not provide a detailed public investment plan or project-by-project commitments.
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- Immersive Gameplay: Dive into the rich fantasy world of Divinity: Original Sin and embark on an epic adventure with this highly detailed board game adaptation.
- Expansive Content: Packed with a vast array of miniatures, cards, tokens, and components for up to 4 players to experience the captivating narrative.
- Cooperative or Competitive: Choose to play cooperatively or pit your wits against fellow players in a competitive tabletop experience.
- Replayability: With multiple scenarios, randomized elements, and diverse character abilities, each game session promises a unique and engaging challenge.
- Faithful Adaptation: Meticulously crafted to capture the essence of the beloved video game series, allowing fans and newcomers alike to immerse themselves in the Divinity universe.
What is known about Tencent’s relationships with the studios
GamesRadar+ reported that Tencent owns minority but significant shares in Larian and holds shares in Kadokawa, FromSoftware’s owner. The report does not provide percentages, and those relationships should not be read as evidence that Tencent controls either studio.
GamesRadar+’s October 5, 2026 report is the accessible text source for Zhu’s exact quoted wording. It links to The Game Business interview video, titled “Tencent’s bid to create the next FromSoftware and Larian.”
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- Become part of a reactive, living and vast open world. Explore many different environments, fight all kinds of fantastical creatures and discover tons of desirable items.
- Experience gripping party and turn-based combat. Manipulate the environment and use skill & spell combos to overcome your many foes: Use magic to make it rain then cast a lightning spell to fry enemies to a crisp.
- Play with a friend in co-op multiplayer. Make decisions together (or disagree entirely), as your interactions and relationship with your partner influence the game.
- Unravel a deep and epic story, set in the early days of the Divinity universe. No prior experience with other Divinity games is necessary however, the game takes place well before its predecessors Divine Divinity and Divinity II: The Dragon Knight Saga.
- Classless character creation lets you design the character of your choice. Endless item interaction and combinations take exploration and experimentation to another level of freedom.
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