
Metacore's Merge Mansion Gets Green Light for Release in China with Tencent
Merge Mansion, the popular game from Metacore, is set to be released in China after being approved for publication by Tencent, a leading game company. This news is part of a larger trend of licenses being granted to both domestic and foreign titles for release in China, marking the second wave of approvals since the lifting of restrictions on tech companies. This wave includes a diverse range of games on various platforms, including Merge Mansion, Yo-Kai Watch 4, and Audition: Everybody Party.
Previously, the Chinese games industry suffered greatly due to a halt in video game licenses, which are required for sale and publication in the country. This halt was a result of the government cracking down on what it saw as "Youth Video Game Addiction," compounded by pandemic restrictions and a wider crackdown on tech. However, a recent reversal led to the approval of a wave of new titles, with this second wave signaling a potential shift in the Chinese games industry's treatment.
The move is a significant win for Metacore, who has invested heavily in Merge Mansion with a star-studded ad campaign featuring Hollywood actor Pedro Pascal. The game's entry into the Chinese market will expose it to a new audience, and given its international popularity, it is likely to find a loyal following in China. While some may worry that the influx of new games will oversaturate the market, only time will tell if this trend will continue.