Grasshopper Manufacture Leaves NetEase and Goes Independent

Grasshopper Manufacture is independent again after separating from former parent company NetEase Games.

Grasshopper Manufacture, the Japanese studio led by Goichi Suda, also known as Suda51, has confirmed that it has split from NetEase Games and will once again operate as an independent developer.

The split was announced on September 30, 2026, with Grasshopper Manufacture becoming independent on October 1. The studio said the separation was reached after discussions with NetEase Games and with the former parent company’s cooperation. Both sides remain open to working together again in the future.

Grasshopper Manufacture Wants More Freedom for Its Next Games

In a statement shared alongside the announcement, Suda51 said the studio began looking at its next stage after completing development on ROMEO IS A DEAD MAN, which launched in February 2026.

That reflection led the team toward a wider range of creative options. According to the studio, its growing experience with self-publishing now gives it more flexibility in deciding how future games are released while keeping development focused on the distinctive style associated with Grasshopper Manufacture.

The studio’s official website currently lists Grasshopper Manufacture itself as the publisher of ROMEO IS A DEAD MAN, an action game released for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam.

The NetEase Relationship Began in 2021

NetEase Games acquired Grasshopper Manufacture in 2021. At the time, both companies described the deal as a long-term partnership intended to support the studio with funding, business planning, art resources, and technical expertise while preserving its creative identity.

Five years later, the relationship is ending without an announced closure or restructuring of Grasshopper Manufacture. Instead, the studio is moving forward independently as it approaches its 30th anniversary.

What Changes for Grasshopper Manufacture?

The biggest confirmed change is ownership and operating independence. Grasshopper Manufacture now has more options for self-publishing or choosing external publishing partners on future projects.

The studio has not announced its next game or detailed how the split will affect staffing, funding, or production schedules. For now, the clearest signal is that Suda51 and the team want to keep making games under their own identity while expanding the kinds of projects they can pursue.