Tencent acquires Back 4 Blood studio Turtle Rock
From Back 4 Blood to Bleed U Dry?
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Early this year Turtle Rock Studios released Back 4 Blood to mixed reviews from critic and audiences alike. With the promise of DLC in the form of an expansion pass, fans were hoping this zombie shooter could pick itself up and stand proud along side its brothers Left 4 Dead and Left 4 Dead 2.
Now some fans are concerned as Tencent has just acquired Turtle Rock Studios, the multinational tech conglomerate that owns titles as League of Legends and Clash of Clans. They now have a 100% ownership of Turtle Rock, and this has some fans worried.
Who are Tencent?
Tencent Holdings Ltd., but more commonly known as Tencent, is a Chinese multinational technology conglomerate. They were originally founded in 1998. Since then, they’ve worked on acquiring all kinds of products in entertainment. Including artificial intelligence, and other technology.
But in this context, they’re known more for being the world’s largest video game vendor, as well as one of the most financially valuable companies. It is among the largest social media, venture capital, and investment corporations. Its services include social network, music, web portals, e-commerce, mobile games, internet services, payment systems, smartphones, and multiplayer online games.
Who are Turtle Rock Studios?
Turtle Rock Studios are an American game developing studio. Founded in 2002, it was acquired by Valve in 2008 and renamed Valve South.
During Turtle Rock‘s time as Valve South, they created the first Left 4 Dead which became a fan favourite. Marking a new era in zombie-games. Left 4 Dead became so popular because it wasn’t just a normal shooter. What attracted gamers were the characters, the special zombies and the simple mission levels. There was a certain level of resistiveness that the levels had, which made it easier to just jump-in and go.
Since then, Turtle Rock Studios have become their own studio… Or at least they have until now. You can read more about who Turtle Rock Studios are here.
What could this mean for Turtle Rock Studios?
Well what some people are worried about involves in Tencent’s interest in games. Tencent mainly invest and acquire games that primarily work around microtransactions and in-game purchases. And considering Back 4 Blood‘s card system, people are now worries that too will become monetised.
In fact, a lot of fans’ reactions after this news was shared has been mainly negative. With a lot of people worried about the fate of Turtle Rock Studios. But, for now we only know that Tencent have purchased it, and we’re not sure what else might happen from this point on.
