A new AAA game development group is set to release "Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic," as well as titles created by former developers from Call of Duty and Yu-Gi-Oh!

Simon Zhu, who previously held a key role at NetEase, has initiated a new holding entity, GreaterThan Group (GTG). This venture has secured $40 million in funding along with additional commitments adding up to $60 million.

GTG has begun its journey by investing in three game studios: Arcanaut Studios located in Edmonton, BulletFarm in Los Angeles, and MAGship based in Tokyo.

At the helm of Arcanaut Studios is Casey Hudson, renowned for directing Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic and the Mass Effect series. The studio's upcoming project, Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic, was introduced at The Game Awards 2025.

BulletFarm is under the leadership of David Vonderhaar, known for his previous work as studio design director at Treyarch. The studio is actively working on an early-stage first-person multiplayer/co-operative game.

Leading MAGship is Masato Saki, a past executive from Konami, notable for Yu-Gi-Oh's international growth. MAGship focuses on investments in Japanese anime, a crucial component of GTG's intellectual property strategy.

The ownership structure of GTG involves co-ownership with the founding teams of its studios, providing them with both individual studio ownership and shared stake in GTG, aligning their goals.

While Zhu has opted not to reveal specific investors, he mentioned to Bloomberg that investors include entrepreneurs from the tech and gaming industries. GTG also aims to nurture innovative projects by partnering with various creators.

GTG's strategy is to tackle the complexities in game development by providing comprehensive funding, holistic support, and creative independence, allowing studios to craft memorable games.

Zhu stated, "GTG is reintroducing practical wisdom into the gaming industry. Our focus is the foundational principle: entertainment. It is our duty to deliver what players genuinely desire. Exceptional games stem from genuine self-expression by talented developers."

He further added, "Creating quality games is increasingly demanding today. Our mission is to establish the ideal environment for creators to realize their projects, enabling them to focus their efforts on their craft without unnecessary distractions. This approach is the hallmark of the greatest games."

Zhu, before launching GTG, was the president of global investments and partnerships at NetEase. He resigned last year post the company scaling back investments in multiple studios, including BulletFarm.

During his tenure at NetEase, he spearheaded investments in prominent titles like Sky: Children of the Light, Marvel Snap, and Fall Guys, and played a role in bringing Minecraft to the Chinese audience.