Splash Damage Is Free—Now Let’s See What They Build Next

You know that feeling when you break up with someone, and suddenly, you feel a massive weight lift off your shoulders? I imagine that’s what the folks over at Splash Damage are feeling right now. After a rocky situationship with the mega-corporation Tencent, the studio has finally called it quits and is stepping out on its own again. And honestly? Thank goodness.

For those who might not know, Splash Damage is the brilliant team behind some absolute bangers. We’re talking Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory, the ridiculously fun Gears Tactics, and they even lent their multiplayer genius to Gears 4 and 5 and Halo: The Master Chief Collection. These guys know how to make a solid game.

So, what went wrong?

A Rocky Road with Tencent

Back in 2016, Splash Damage was picked up by Leyou, which was then swallowed whole by the giant that is Tencent in 2020. You’d think being under the wing of a massive publisher would be a good thing, right? More resources, more stability? Well, not so much. The merger seemed to be more of a curse than a blessing.

During their time with Tencent, the studio hit a rough patch. Multiple games got the axe, including the one many of us were hyped for—Transformers: Reactivate. Seeing that awesome trailer at The Game Awards only to have it canceled later was a real gut punch. It felt like the studio was being held back, and with the threat of layoffs looming, things looked pretty grim. It’s a classic story: a talented studio gets absorbed by a corporate giant and loses its spark. We’ve seen it happen time and time again, and it never gets less frustrating.

What Does Freedom from Tencent Mean for Splash Damage?

So what’s the new deal? Splash Damage has announced its glorious escape from Tencent’s clutches. Instead of being owned by a massive conglomerate, they’re now funded by private equity investors. What does that mean for us, the gamers? It means the original leadership team is still in charge, which is fantastic news btw! The same creative minds that brought us those awesome titles are back in the driver’s seat, hopefully with more freedom to do what they do best: make great games.

This is the kind of news we love to see in the news. A studio breaking free to pursue its own vision is always a cause for celebration. It’s a bold move, reminiscent of when The Chinese Room recently split from Sumo Digital to go independent. It takes guts and a huge drive to commit to excellence,  one that can often lead to more creative and passionate projects. With private funding, Splash Damage can hopefully avoid the corporate red tape that often stifles innovation.

I’m genuinely excited to see what they cook up next. Will they revive a canceled project? Or will they blow our minds with something completely new? Whatever it is, you can bet it will have that signature Splash Damage quality. Let’s raise a glass to their newfound independence!

What are your thoughts on this? Are you as stoked as I am to see Splash Damage break free? Let me know what you think in the comments!