I have just come back from the bottom of a slightly bizarre rabbit hole. After asking myself a simple question – Who owns Bad Guitar Studio? The creators of FragPunk, a 5v5 hero shooter with an admittedly interesting card mechanic.
This game (FragPunk) is seemingly the first product from a game development studio called – Bad Guitar Studio.
Who owns Bad Guitar Studio?
On the surface, it seems as if Bad Guitar Studio is just another indie dev studio with a dream. But, a quick online search will show that the studio seems owned (or associated) by the globally-acclaimed gaming powerhouse – NetEase.
But, strangely… none of this is written on Bad Guitar Studio’s Steam page.
NetEase is not even listed as a Publisher of the game. Which begs the question – Are they (NetEase) the owners? Or perhaps, maybe – they published or funded Bad Guitar Studio in one way or another. Maybe?
The connection between Bad Guitar Studio and NetEase
If you go to NetEase’s website you’ll find FragPunk among their listed games. While, on the other hand – Bad Guitar Studio has no traceable website (at the time of publishing this article) or any social media presence. Which has become a key aspect of marketing in today’s oversaturated video game market.
Even though Bad Guitar Studio has no website, their game has one.
I visited the FragPunk website and found the following words, at the bottom of the website – FragPunk, Bad Guitar Studio and other related trademarks and logos belong to NetEase.
Now, knowing that NetEase is headquartered in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China. It’s interesting to note that the enigmously owned – FragPunk, has a YouTube channel which lists America as their location.
Final statement and questions
Is Bad Guitar Studio a real studio? Did the truly make and publish FragPunk? Or, are they just a cover for NetEase? Do you think that FragPunk is worth giving a shot?
