Highdive’s Big Leap: NetEase’s Montréal Studio Charts a New Course with a New IP AAA Title

By [ggamen.com], Gaming Industry Correspondent

Montréal, October 2025 —

The Montréal-based studio Highdive (formerly known as NetEase Games Montréal), part of NetEase Games’ ThunderFire group, is reportedly developing a major new AAA single-player console/PC game that could represent a significant strategy shift for the Chinese publisher. According to industry outlet Need4Games, the title is planned for release on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, and is expected to launch in 2027 or later.

A Studio With New Ambitions

Highdive publicly rebranded in November 2024, announcing its 5th anniversary, reaching a milestone of 150 employees, and declaring its intent to shift from co-development to “developing our own IPs.” 

“With the full support of NetEase Games – ThunderFire … we will focus on developing our own IPs.” 

Previously, Highdive had contributed to co-development projects such as Naraka: Bladepoint and FragPunk. 

Their website now lists a “New IP in development” alongside their portfolio. 

Highdive Games

The new brand identity emphasises values such as “venture into wonder,” “thrive together,” and “embrace the unknown.” 

What We Know About the Project

While the new IP remains officially unannounced, several triangulated sources point to key features:

The game is reportedly a single-player AAA campaign experience targeting PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC.

According to a narrative designer’s LinkedIn profile (via Need4Games), the design includes:

A campaign of 20+ hours

Complex character arcs, original factions and an immersive world

Performance capture (voice & motion-capture) to ensure cinematic realism

A workflow designed for seamless collaboration between writing, art, design and audio

The team behind the game reportedly consists of over 100 people, with the release window set for after another NetEase project (codenamed “Guī Táng” in the report), which is expected to be released in 2027 or later.

These details have not been confirmed by NetEase or Highdive directly, but they align with the studio’s public pivot toward high-end, narrative-driven IP.

Strategic Implications

For NetEase

For years, NetEase has been best known for its online, live-service and mobile games. The company’s growing ambition in console/PC and single-player narrative games has already been signalled by titles such as Blood Message. 

The new Highdive project could mark its next significant step: a globally targeted, high-budget, cross-platform AAA game developed through its Montréal studio.

For Highdive

This is Highdive’s moment of transition—from support/co-dev to lead creator. With its rebranding and new mission, the studio aims to become a major player in the AAA space. The Montréal base places it in one of the world’s premier game development hubs.

For the Industry

Highdive’s trajectory exemplifies a broader shift: Chinese-backed studios building Western-based teams to craft global narrative games for mainstream console/PC audiences. Success here may reinforce that model.

Open Questions

Despite the available clues, several key pieces remain unknown:

The title of the game has not been publicly revealed.

The genre and core gameplay mechanics (open world vs. linear, RPG vs. action-adventure) remain unspecified.

The supposed “first AAA single-player” project (“Guī Táng”) referenced in the report may correspond to Blood Message or another undisclosed project.

The release date, budget, monetisation model and post-launch support strategy are yet to be confirmed.

Final Word

High Dive appears to be positioning itself for a significant leap. The new IP—if it delivers on its stated ambition—could mark a watershed moment for NetEase’s global console/PC strategy and for Highdive’s evolution as a studio. For gamers and industry watchers alike, it’s a title worth keeping an eye on.

As Highdive’s own tagline says: “Bound by no borders, we create games that let us dive into pure emotions, together.” 

Pull-Out Quote

“We will focus on developing our own IPs … our profound desire is to empower both our people and our players through high-quality games and spark pure emotions.” — Highdive press release, Nov 6 2024 

Highdive Games

About the Author:

[ggamen.com] covers global games industry trends, with a focus on console/PC development and Asian-Western industry synergy.

Last updated: October 21, 2025

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