Grasshopper Manufacture CEO and founder Goichi Suda has announced that the studio has gone independent for the first time in over a decade following its split from Chinese technology company NetEase. Earlier this year the team released its first self-published title Romeo is a Dead Man. We enjoyed the game and even got to chat with the punk auteur Suda51 himself, but it seems that the experience has inspired the studio to split off on its own once again.

Suda revealed today that through “generous cooperation” with NetEase, the studio was able to become fully independent once again after the release of Romeo is a Dead Man. “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.”

Suda also states “Having improved our own self-publishing know-how, we now have a broad range of options available to us, and regardless of how our games may be published we remain committed to creating unique titles featuring the “NO GAME NO LIFE” gaming experience expected of Grasshopper Manufacture with our own signature flavor and further enhanced quality.”

Grasshopper Manufacture was acquired by NetEase from prior owner GungHo Online Entertainment in 2021, releasing both No More Heroes III and Romeo is a Dead Man under the company. In recent years, NetEase has significantly withdrawn its influence from titles published outside of its home territory of China, including the closures of Gang of Dragon developer Nagoshi Studios and Visions of Mana developer Ouka Studios, and the independent split of Stupid Never Dies developer GPTRACK50.

The announcement ends on a tease towards Grasshopper Manufacture’s plans for its 30th anniversary in 2028, although Suda teased earlier this year that the studio will have another title to reveal soon.