News

Tencent backs Fortnite China release with $15 million investment

Chinese publisher plans esports push

Date Type Companies involved Size
April 24th, 2018 investment Epic Games
Tencent
$15m
Tencent backs Fortnite China release with $15 million investment

Tencent is set to publish Epic's smash hit PC and mobile game Fortnite in China.

The official Fortnite Twitter account had already alluded to an announcement this week.

The Chinese publishing giant has now confirmed the game’s release in the country, as well as back its release to the tune of $15 million.

Esports push

As reported by Do News, half of that figure will be invested in the creation of game content and video content creators. The rest will be used to help support esports teams, commentators and content producers.

It’s still not clear when the mobile version of the title will release, but given how pervasive the platform is in China it seems only a matter of time before it’s released.

Tencent also already owns a 40 per cent stake in Epic, close ties that make the mobile launch seem inevitable in such a potentially lucrative market.

Tencent was the company behind the mobile releases of another hit battle royale game, Playerunknown’s Battlegrounds, in China and now around the world.

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Head of Content

Craig Chapple is a freelance analyst, consultant and writer with specialist knowledge of the games industry. He has previously served as Senior Editor at PocketGamer.biz, as well as holding roles at Sensor Tower, Nintendo and Develop.