Game not over yet - Bytedance steps away from the console

By XIAO Fang

Bytedance’s gaming business Nuverse is set for a major reset. News of widespread contraction of operations will come as no surprise as resources are redirected into more foundational, innovative and imaginative projects.

Gaming business at the creator of the short video app Tiktok, has, at best, been only moderately successful.

Since 2019, Nuverse has had some success both domestically and internationally. The decision to cut operations was made after extensive discussions between the head of Nuverse, Yan Shou, and Bytedance CEO Liang Rubo.

Nuverse confirmed that there will be adjustments in direction and organization while ensuring the interests of players. For established and well-performing games, the company will divest while maintaining operations.

All unreleased projects, aside from a very few, will be terminated.

During Bytedance’s annual meeting earlier this year, when Liang outlined the goals for the next year, there was an emphasis on having imaginative ideas while maintaining a calm perspective.

Bytedance has recently inflicted some significant contractions in new businesses. Four education units were closed in 2022, and last month, Pico, a virtual reality company, was substantially downsized.