Former NetEase Exec’s New Company is Funding Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic, BulletFarm

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Simon Zhu, a former executive at NetEase, is starting a new investment company called GreaterThan Group. He plans to use it to fund video game development projects globally. One of the games GreaterThan Group is supporting is Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic from Arcanaut Studios. Bloomberg reports that the company has already raised $40 million and secured commitments for nearly $60 million in funding.

Zhu explained that his decision to start his own investment company stemmed from a recent trend: significant amounts of money are leaving the gaming industry as large tech companies and venture capital firms shift their focus to artificial intelligence. He mentioned that the investors involved are successful figures in gaming and technology, but didn’t disclose their names to protect their privacy.

Zhu noted that major tech companies and investors initially pulled back, but now they’re eager to invest in artificial intelligence. Despite past hesitancy, he remains optimistic that artistic integrity and commercial success can coexist.

As a gamer, I totally agree with what Zhu said. We shouldn’t have to pick between a fun game, a financially successful game, and a game that’s actually art. Why can’t we have all three? Let’s give talented developers the chance to really shine on projects they’re passionate about – it’s a win-win for everyone involved, especially us players!

GreaterThan Group is also investing in BulletFarm, a studio developing a new shooting game. Leading the studio is David Vonderhaar, a seasoned game designer previously known for his work as a design director at Treyarch on the Call of Duty: Black Ops franchise. Additionally, GreaterThan Group is funding MAGship, a Tokyo-based studio headed by Masato Sakai, a veteran of Konami who helped make Yu-Gi-Oh! a worldwide success.

Vonderhaar’s current project, BulletFarm, differs from his previous work, which often involved anime-inspired media. He’s clarified that he isn’t developing another military shooter; instead, he’s aiming for something unique—a shooter with the artistic style of director David Lynch. He emphasizes that this new game isn’t intended to compete with Call of Duty.

Given Zhu’s experience leading global investments and partnerships at NetEase, his firm’s funding of BulletFarm is especially interesting. BulletFarm was previously backed by NetEase, but NetEase ended that support in recent years.

Zhu explained his increased investment in gaming stems from the industry’s recent revenue growth and consistently loyal player base. He emphasized that while profit is important, he also wants to ensure games are both enjoyable and created with integrity. He believes they can successfully generate revenue while still providing quality entertainment in an ethical manner.

The game Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic was first shown in December 2025 with a computer-generated trailer. While a release date hasn’t been announced, the director, Casey Hudson, has stated on social media that it will be available before the end of 2030.

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2026-05-12 19:12