Microsoft has announced a new partnership with Tencent, just a few hours after Nintendo’s surprise announcement with DeNa.
If the Nintendo DeNa announcement was made almost immediately, Microsoft seems to have been working with Tencent for some time already.
Like DeNa, Tencent is an online company, but larger in sheer scale, but also scope. Tencent’s flagship product, instant messenger app QQ, is bolstered by its businesses in web portals, social networks, and multiplayer online games, including Dungeon Fighter, Crossfire, and League of Legends.
Prior to this, Tencent already bought into a minority stake in Epic Games, and a majority stake in Riot Games, makers of League of Legends. As an Epic stakeholder, Tencent also has an investment in the Unreal Engine, as well as games like Gears of War and Infinity Blade.
As part of this collaboration, Tencent is porting Dungeon Fighter, Crossfire, and League of Legends natively as Windows 10 apps. While not mentioned here, these native ports also open up the possibility of these games coming up on Xbox One.
While fans and analysts ruminate on the implications of the Nintendo – DeNA deal, the ramifications of the Microsoft – Tencent deal are already clear as day. This strategic alliance helps Microsoft and Tencent compete with Valve, pitting the Windows App Store against Steam, but also Tencent’s games versus Valve’s (DOTA 2 to LOL, Counter Strike: Global Offensive to Crossfire).
Are you a fan of these Tencent games? Are you looking forward to seeing this partnership bear fruit, or would you want to see the two work deeper? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.