GreaterThan Group’s $100M Bet on ‘Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic’ Signals a New Era for Creative Game Development

3 min read

Simon Zhu’s post‑NetEase venture backs Arcanaut Studios in pursuit of narrative‑driven RPG excellence

A sleek, horizontal concept art scene: a futuristic game studio office with creative professionals collaborating over Star Wars-themed artwork and storyboards, ambient lighting, subtle sci-fi motifs, clean and professional composition

Simon Zhu, former NetEase global investments head, has launched GreaterThan Group (GTG), raising $100 million to fund studios like Arcanaut Studios, BulletFarm, and MAGship. GTG is backing Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic, a spiritual successor to Knights of the Old Republic led by Casey Hudson, offering stability and creative freedom. This article explores the implications for the gaming industry, Hudson’s development philosophy, and what this investment means for players and developers alike.

A Bold New Chapter: Simon Zhu’s GreaterThan Group Emerges

On May 12, 2026, Simon Zhu—longtime head of global investments and partnerships at NetEase—announced the formation of GreaterThan Group (GTG), a holding company dedicated to funding and empowering elite game studios. He has raised a total of $100 million to support developers who were previously sidelined amid NetEase’s retreat from gaming investments . Zhu framed GTG as a “rebalancing force” in an industry that “treats developers so badly,” emphasizing that creators should not have to compromise between artistry, player satisfaction, and commercial success . The initial portfolio includes Arcanaut Studios, BulletFarm, and MAGship—each led by veteran industry figures.

Backing a Legacy: Funding ‘Fate of the Old Republic’

GTG’s marquee investment is in Arcanaut Studios, the Edmonton‑based team helmed by Casey Hudson, the original director of Knights of the Old Republic and the Mass Effect trilogy . The studio’s project, Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic, is a narrative‑driven action RPG built as a spiritual successor to KOTOR, developed with support from Lucasfilm Games and powered by Unreal Engine 5 . With the $100 million injection, Arcanaut gains runway and creative autonomy—a critical foundation for an ambitious single‑player RPG aiming for release before 2030 .