NetEase announced that NetEase Games, which is responsible for the company’s games division, has acquired 100% of the Canadian game studio “SkyBox Labs” and made it a subsidiary.
SkyBox Labs is a full-service game development studio founded in 2011. We work on game development in partnership with world-class publishers Xbox Game Studios, Wizards of the Coast, and Electronic Arts. It has two offices, one in Victoria and one in Burnaby.
SkyBox Labs will continue to operate independently under the NetEase Games umbrella, led by co-founders Shyang Kong, Derek MacNeil and Steven Silvester, and will continue to work with existing and future partners who provide development services game in all areas.
NetEase, meanwhile, said it will support SkyBox Labs with the resources and capabilities to get things done faster while maintaining the quality of work SkyBox Labs is known for.
■ Shyang Kong, co-founder of the studio
“Over the past decade, it has been an honor to work with such beloved games as Halo Infinite, Minecraft and Fallout 76. We will continue to grow our presence in Canada and expand our existing We look forward to supporting our partners in the future and co-develop more AAA games for major game studios around the world. We have built a team of talented individuals who are passionate and creative. By joining NetEase Games, we will be able to explore new development opportunities and enjoy global operating resources- NetEase’s wide range and wide range of services, enabling us to expand our business in Canada faster.”
■Simon Zhu, Head of International Partnerships and Investments, NetEase Games
“We are delighted to welcome SkyBox Labs to the NetEase Games family. , and passionate fans of some of the world’s biggest franchises they have worked on. Working with the co-founders of SkyBox Labs, they are needed to strengthen their presence in Canada. We will provide the resources to help the world’s best creators develop unforgettable games for players.”
SkyBox Labs will continue to grow its business and will continue to recruit new staff in Canada while maintaining staff in all occupations including art, programming, design, production and quality assurance. NetEase and SkyBox Labs will support local Canadian communities and participate in cultural events and other activities.
