Video Gamer is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Prices subject to change. Learn more
Evolve and Back 4 Blood studio Turtle Rock is the latest acquisition by Chinese conglomerate Tencent after snapping up the former’s parent company Slamfire.
The two companies made the announcement on Friday evening, saying the developer would keep its independent operations in California. The studio founders Phill Robb and Chris Ashton will continue to run operations, and the deal will have no effect on Back 4 Blood.
Turtle Rock Studios’ president and general manager Steve Goldstein offered up the following quote. “We are all looking forward to joining the Tencent family of studios. Tencent’s outstanding partners, global reach, deep knowledge of gaming and unprecedented support will help us create the kinds of ambitious games we dream of, while allowing us to retain our autonomy and independent spirit.”
The developer would also address fans directly in a post on its own website. “By joining the Tencent family, we will not only get access to their vast resources and expertise, but we have found a partner who is encouraging us to be ambitious and visionary”. They added “Additionally, we get to do something we have never done before as a studio: turn a universe we created into a true long-standing AAA franchise. We can now ensure that the Back 4 Blood franchise is here to stay and we will be working on it well into the future.”
Prior to Turtle Rock, Tencent had been on something of an acquisition spree in 2021. Back in June, the company acquired Spec Ops: The Line developer Yager. It soon followed that up with Sackboy: A Big Adventure studio Sumo Digital and just last month picked up Yooka-Laylee team Playtonic Games too.
