Tencent is reportedly looking to unload its minority stake in Marvelous as part of a broader portfolio cleanup, according to Bloomberg reporting cited by Eurogamer. The Chinese conglomerate acquired a 20 percent holding in the Tokyo-listed studio back in 2020 for approximately 7 billion yen, or $65 million, at a time when it was snapping up positions across several Japanese developers. Now those holdings are under review amid an industry slump and a shift toward other priorities such as AI investment.
Negotiations reportedly include the possibility of selling shares back to original management teams, even if it means taking a loss on the investment. Marvelous, known for titles like Story of Seasons and Rune Factory, sits on the block while stakes in FromSoftware, PlatinumGames, and Kadokawa remain untouched. The move aligns with Tencent's recent pattern of reassessing underperforming or low-synergy assets in its global games portfolio.
A Marvelous spokesperson has declined to comment on the reports. Industry observers note the timing coincides with ongoing cost pressures across traditional gaming, though the specific outcomes for the studio or any resulting ownership changes remain unclear at this stage.