Chinese technology titan Tencent is set to become the majority shareholder in Techland, the Polish studio behind the popular Dying Light franchise. The move was announced by Techland’s founder and CEO, Paweł Marchewka, who also confirmed that Techland will retain full ownership of its intellectual properties and creative independence despite the share acquisition.
The partnership signifies Tencent’s continued expansion into global markets. The tech behemoth has made previous investments in video game companies worldwide, including Riot Games, Epic Games, and Supercell. The strategic acquisition of a majority stake in Techland further strengthens Tencent’s influence in the global gaming industry.
However, Marchewka has stressed preserving Techland’s creative culture and the studio’s commitment to delivering innovative gaming experiences. He emphasizes, “We will retain full ownership of our IPs, maintain creative freedom, and continue to operate the way we believe is right. I’m also going to continue serving as the studio’s CEO.”
Marchewka sees the partnership as a strategic move to accomplish Techland’s ambitious dreams for its existing and upcoming games. The collaboration with Tencent will provide the resources and support needed to deliver a more refined gaming experience and to expand the Dying Light franchise.
“We dream of turning Dying Light into the ultimate zombie game experience for players worldwide, providing you with multiple astonishing adventures and pushing the boundaries of solo and online modes to a totally new level,” he noted. Techland is also working on a new open-world action-RPG in a fantasy setting, aiming to surpass the expectations for its first new IP in nearly a decade.
The critical impact of Tencent’s majority shareholding in Techland is yet to be seen, but it certainly promises exciting prospects. As the gaming industry continues to evolve and consolidate, partnerships like these highlight a potential model where creative autonomy and global expansion can thrive together.