China’s Tencent joins Japanese developer of Final Fantasy to produce original games for global market

The government’s ongoing crackdown on online content created a setback for Tencent earlier this month when a blockbuster title Monster Hunter: World was pulled from its WeGame platform less than a week after its launch. Photo: Handout

Internet giant Tencent Holdings has forged a strategic alliance with Japanese game company Square Enix to develop original games as the Chinese company continues its overseas expansion amid a regulatory crackdown at home.

The two companies will jointly develop so-called AAA titles, games with the highest budgets and marketing resources, based on original intellectual property, Tokyo-based Square Enix said on Thursday. The alliance will include the establishment of a new joint venture between the partners as well as cross licensing of existing intellectual properties.

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