Chinese Company NetEase Games Acquires SkyBox Labs Halo Infinite’s Co-Developer

Chinese company NetEase has acquired Halo Infinite co-developer SkyBox Labs. NetEase announced the acquisition of the Canadian gaming studio on Friday, January 6. 

SkyBox is popularly known for its collaborative work on Halo Infinite, Minecraft, and Fallout 76. The studio has also worked on developing many other well-known games for big companies. Such companies include Xbox Game Studios, Wizards of the Coast, and Electronic Arts (EA Sports UFC). SkyBox has two offices, one in Vancouver and the other in Victoria. According to the announcement, SkyBox would continue its usual operations and remain independent. However, the studio now has the ability and resources to scale faster. 

“We have built a team of talented individuals who are passionate and creative, and by joining NetEase Games, we will also be able to accelerate our plans to pursue new creative opportunities, and enjoy access to world-class operational resources and the full breadth and depth of NetEase’s services so we can scale faster in Canada,” SkyBox Labs co-founder Shyang Kong said in a statement. 

SkyBox Labs is joining NetEase Games! It’s a milestone day for the studio and we’re thrilled to embark on this next exciting chapter of SkyBox! https://t.co/ykDL3FCQXX pic.twitter.com/OoGbF6BZYJ

— SkyBox Labs (@skyboxlabs) January 6, 2023

According to NetEase, SkyBox will continue its legacy by co-developing some of the biggest games. The studio will now collaborate closely with its current and future partners to pursue “creative prospects” and co-develop games for both PC and mobile platforms. 

“We are thrilled to welcome SkyBox Labs to the NetEase Games family and are committed to creating an environment that allows them to thrive and operate independently as a game studio,” said Simon Zhu, NetEase president of global investment and partnerships.

NetEase is the second largest gaming company in China after Tencent Games. The gaming giant has been on an aggressive global expansion. NetEase acquired Quantic Dream, the company behind Heavy Rain and Detroit: Become Human, making it its first European studio. In addition, NetEase opened its first studio in the United States in 2018 and one in Montreal in 2019.

SkyBox Labs started in 2011 and has worked on two original games. The games include 2016’s TASTEE: Lethal Tactics and Stela in 2019. The two companies did not reveal the deal's financial details.

What is your take on NetEase’s acquisition of SlyBox Labs? Which other games would you like to see SkyBox co-developing? Let us know on our socials here or in the comments below.