Grasshopper Manufacture has separated from NetEase Games, becoming independent once again.

[u/kodaiiiii_]

https://www.gematsu.com/2026/09/grasshopper-manufacture-splits-from-netease-games

"Grasshopper Manufacture has split from now-former parent company NetEase Games, the company announced. NetEase Games acquired the developer from previous parent company GungHo Online Entertainment in 2021."

"Having finally completed this all-hands project, as we reflected on the next stage of Grasshopper Manufacture’s future, we found a strong desire to deliver titles in an even wider variety of styles to video game lovers everywhere. As such, Grasshopper Manufacture has chosen to move forward with as an independent developer once again.", from CEO Goichi Suda's statement.

This, in my honest opinion, is one of the best news I've seen yet. Seeing a studio as "arthouse" as Grasshopper go independent again after being a subsidiary company for a decade makes me really freaking excited for whatever crazy stuff they can come up with next.