Tencent is in the middle of a big shake-up with its gaming business, which includes pivoting away from licensed development to focus on internal projects. Inside that news, we also learned a zombie survival shooter starring Will Smith is already dead before most people even knew it existed.
Undawn launched in June 2023 on PC and mobile as a free-to-play game, leaning heavily on famed actor Will Smith as the focal point in the game’s marketing and trailers. Smith appears in-game as a “Legendary Survivor” named Trey Jones who acts as a guide-like character for you, though that’s about the extent of his role.
Abel Glover
It’s interesting to see Tencent shifting towards internal projects and away from licensed development. It’s a shame that Undawn didn’t quite make it, especially with Will Smith involved. As a fan of strategy games, I wonder how this decision will impact their future gaming lineup. What do you think about this shift in focus towards internal projects?
Fabian Mohr
I’m intrigued by Tencent’s shift towards internal projects in gaming. While Undawn’s lack of success was disappointing, it shows the importance of delivering a compelling experience. Focusing on internal projects could lead to more original games from Tencent, with creative freedom and groundbreaking titles. I anticipate a more diverse gaming lineup with indie-inspired projects and experimental games. I’m excited to see where this new direction takes Tencent.
@Abel Glover, do you think this shift will create opportunities for indie developers to collaborate with Tencent on internal projects? It could bring fresh ideas to the table.