China's NetEase Games opens a video game studio in Barcelona

The gaming ecosystem continues to strengthen in Barcelona. After investments announced by Funplus, Rovio and IO Interactive, NetEase Games has now joined them. The Chinese company has decided to open a video game development studio in the Catalan capital, without wishing to communicate the investment they have allocated to set it up. It will be the first NetEase Games studio in Spain and the third in Europe, after those in Paris and Manchester.

NetEase Games' studio in Barcelona, called Anchor Point Studios, will focus on developing immersive action and adventure games for console and PC, with an emphasis on offering social and multiplayer experiences "that take risks and venture into unknown territories." Anchor Point Studios is headquartered in Barcelona, where it already employs 10 workers and plans to hire about 50 more in the coming years. It also has offices in Seattle (United States). Currently, it has a global workforce of 20 employees, including those working remotely from different countries such as Finland, Norway, or Vietnam.

The video game studio started operating in October 2022, beginning to develop the first video game they are working on. Anchor Point Studios executives have not wanted to reveal many details of the new product and have only reported that the prototype was finished in January and they are now testing it.

In addition to growing in Barcelona, Anchor Point Studios' goal is to reach 100 employees worldwide in the coming years, with plans to incorporate developers, technical artists, and designers into its offices, either in person or remotely. For 2023, the company expects to end with a total workforce of 35 employees.

NetEase Games' studio in the city is led by Paul Ehreth as director and founder. Ehreth has over 20 years of experience in the sector, having worked for companies such as Microsoft, Sony, and Remedy Entertainment. Throughout his career, he has participated in the development of titles such as Control, Halo 4 and Halo 5, and Kinect Adventures. Ehreth will be accompanied by Pere Torrents as Head of Operations at Anchor Point Studios, with experience in companies such as Gaelco Móviles, PlayerX, Zed, Softonic, and Scopely's offices in Barcelona.

Ehreth moved in 2020 to the Catalan capital, where his great-grandparents had grown up until they moved across the pond. "I complete the circuit," says the businessman born in Seattle, where the company's second leg is located. For the founder and director of the studio, Barcelona "has a very strong passion for video games but not enough opportunities."

As part of NetEase Games, which has 100% ownership, Anchor Point Studios operates independently and has autonomy in the development and publication of video games. The Chinese group provides the necessary funding to operate, but also provides other types of resources, such as support in design and communication functions, since NetEase Games not only publishes video games but also develops them. "We are very grateful to NetEase Games for giving us the creative freedom and resources to build an interconnected world that will extend beyond games and also reach other media," says Ehreth.

As part of NetEase Games, which has 100% ownership, Anchor Point Studios operates independently and has autonomy in the development and publication of video games

NetEase Games is the online gaming division of NetEase, a technology group founded in 1997 by William Ding. NetEase has been listed on Nasdaq since 2000. In addition to NetEase Games, its portfolio includes Youdao, an intelligent learning company; Cloud Music, an online music content community, and Yanxuan, a lifestyle brand.