GungHo and Grasshopper comment on studio acquisition

Last night, GungH Online Entertainment announced it acquired Goichi Suda-led development studio Grasshopper Manufacture. Today, GungHo Online Entertainment America has commented on the acquisition in an English press release.

“We believe the strength of a publisher lies in its creative talent so with the addition of Grasshopper Manufacture and Suda 51 we are adding some of the most innovative talent in today’s gaming world to our stellar family of independently-operated studios,” said Kazuki Morishita, President and CEO of GungHo Online Entertainment. “Suda 51 projects are known to put a unique spin on every game so coupled with our proven ability to support development with AAA resources including a tailored online experience, we believe gamers will benefit from this collaboration.”

Grasshopper is GungHo’s fourth “prominent studio,” joining Ragnarork Online developer Gravity, Lunar and Grandia creator Game Arts, and Tenchu and Way of the Samurai developer Acquire.

“By joining GungHo Online Entertainment, we are aligning ourselves with a strong, established publishing force that will support our vision to further create inspired new games that appeal players across the world,” said Grasshopper Founder and Managing Director, Goichi Suda. “The Grasshopper team and I have many new ideas to share with our fans as we move forward so this union with GOE will help us realize our future plans.”

GungHo teases it will have more details on upcoming Grasshopper projects in “the coming months.” We should likely hear about Killer is Dead‘s western localization by then, which is rumored to be published by XSEED Games, who have worked with GungHo Online in the past on the western edition of Ragnarok Odyssey.