Tencent Acquires a Stake in Arrowhead Game Studios
Mergers and Acquisitions
10 June 2025 10:21
Chinese tech giant Tencent has acquired a 15.75% stake in Swedish game developer Arrowhead Game Studios, best known for the breakout success of Helldivers 2. According to a reports, the deal took place in July 2024 and valued Arrowhead at approximately SEK 5.1 billion (USD 532 million). Tencent’s purchase, worth around USD 83 million, underscores the growing global interest in the studio following its commercial success.
The report also shed light on Arrowhead's impressive financial performance. The studio recorded a turnover of SEK 959 million (roughly USD 100 million) and an operating profit of SEK 729 million (about USD 76 million), signaling a strong year driven largely by Helldivers 2’s exceptional reception.
Helldivers 2, which launched earlier in 2024, has shattered expectations and records, selling 12 million copies within just 12 weeks of release. The title continues to maintain a robust player base, with approximately 2.5 million players logging in weekly, according to recent statements from the studio.
Johan Pilestedt, Arrowhead's co-founder and Chief Creative Officer, addressed the Tencent investment, noting the potential it unlocks for expanding into new territories. “Chinese player base is the holy grail in the gaming industry,” he remarked, via Google Translate, pointing to the strategic importance of Tencent’s support in accessing one of the world's largest gaming markets.
Looking ahead, Arrowhead has confirmed that its upcoming title will not be tied to a PlayStation partnership, signaling a shift toward broader multi-platform ambitions.
Meanwhile, Tencent continues to deepen its ties in the global gaming industry. The tech conglomerate also recently increased its stake in a new Ubisoft subsidiary, investing €1.16 billion for a 25% share. The newly formed entity, valued at €4 billion (USD 4.3 billion), houses several of Ubisoft’s flagship franchises, including Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, and Rainbow Six.
Related news
View AllTencent has agreed to halt all promotional activities and public testing for its upcoming action game Light of Motiram as...
Drama
Dec 04, 2025
The legal battle between Sony and Tencent is intensifying, as Sony has fired back at the Chinese tech giant’s latest...
Drama
Oct 17, 2025
The UK’s games industry trade association, UKIE, has officially announced the return of its Video Games Growth Programme for a...
Business
Sep 10, 2025
Chinese tech giant Tencent is reportedly in early talks to acquire Nexon, the South Korean video game publisher known for...
Mergers and Acquisitions
Jun 18, 2025
Mergers and Acquisitions
10 June 2025 10:21
Chinese tech giant Tencent has acquired a 15.75% stake in Swedish game developer Arrowhead Game Studios, best known for the breakout success of Helldivers 2. According to a reports, the deal took place in July 2024 and valued Arrowhead at approximately SEK 5.1 billion (USD 532 million). Tencent’s purchase, worth around USD 83 million, underscores the growing global interest in the studio following its commercial success.
The report also shed light on Arrowhead's impressive financial performance. The studio recorded a turnover of SEK 959 million (roughly USD 100 million) and an operating profit of SEK 729 million (about USD 76 million), signaling a strong year driven largely by Helldivers 2’s exceptional reception.
Helldivers 2, which launched earlier in 2024, has shattered expectations and records, selling 12 million copies within just 12 weeks of release. The title continues to maintain a robust player base, with approximately 2.5 million players logging in weekly, according to recent statements from the studio.
Johan Pilestedt, Arrowhead's co-founder and Chief Creative Officer, addressed the Tencent investment, noting the potential it unlocks for expanding into new territories. “Chinese player base is the holy grail in the gaming industry,” he remarked, via Google Translate, pointing to the strategic importance of Tencent’s support in accessing one of the world's largest gaming markets.
Looking ahead, Arrowhead has confirmed that its upcoming title will not be tied to a PlayStation partnership, signaling a shift toward broader multi-platform ambitions.
Meanwhile, Tencent continues to deepen its ties in the global gaming industry. The tech conglomerate also recently increased its stake in a new Ubisoft subsidiary, investing €1.16 billion for a 25% share. The newly formed entity, valued at €4 billion (USD 4.3 billion), houses several of Ubisoft’s flagship franchises, including Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, and Rainbow Six.
Related news
View AllTencent has agreed to halt all promotional activities and public testing for its upcoming action game Light of Motiram as...
Drama
Dec 04, 2025
The legal battle between Sony and Tencent is intensifying, as Sony has fired back at the Chinese tech giant’s latest...
Drama
Oct 17, 2025
The UK’s games industry trade association, UKIE, has officially announced the return of its Video Games Growth Programme for a...
Business
Sep 10, 2025
Chinese tech giant Tencent is reportedly in early talks to acquire Nexon, the South Korean video game publisher known for...
Mergers and Acquisitions
Jun 18, 2025