Grinding Gear Games

Grinding Gear Games (abb. GGG) is a New Zealand video game developer company founded in 2006 and based in Auckland. A former independent developer, the studio was acquired by Chinese tech company Tencent in May 2018, after the Chinese company had published the studio's sole title, Path of Exile, in China (excluding Hong Kong and Macau).[2] The open-beta build of Path of Exile was released worldwide in January 2013[3] and the 1.0 version of the game was released in October 2013.[4]

Grinding Gear Games
TypeSubsidiary
IndustryVideo games
Founded2006
Founders
  • Chris Wilson
  • Jonathan Rogers
  • Erik Olofsson
  • Brian Weissman
HeadquartersAuckland, New Zealand
Key people
Chris Wilson (Managing Director)
Jonathan Rogers (Technical Director)
Erik Olofsson (Art Director)
Brian Weissman (Executive Producer)
ProductsPath of Exile
OwnerTencent (93.33%)[1]
Chris Wilson (4.39%)
Jonathan Rogers (1.14%)
Erik Olofsson (1.14%)
Websitewww.grindinggear.com

History

Grinding Gear Games games was founded in 2006 in Auckland, New Zealand. The company states that its founding members come from various countries and backgrounds.[5]

GGG developed Path of Exile, which was released on 23 October 2013. During the open beta, from 23 January 2013 to release, more than 46,000 people participated.[6] GGG crowd funded Path of Exile through allowing users to pre-purchase in-game microtransactions ahead of the games launch date. In only 6 days, GGG was able to raise over $245,000.[7] The company is now focusing on releasing for more platforms, more regions, and on creating cosmetic items available for purchase through microtransactions.

In 2018, Tencent became a majority holder in GGG, acquiring 86.67% of the company's shares. Three of the co-founders hold the remaining 13.33%. Two of the co-founders also sit on the board of directors, alongside 3 appointed by Tencent in April 2018.[8]

Games developed
Year Title Platform(s)
2013 Path of Exile Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, macOS
TBA Path of Exile 2 TBA

References
  1. "Shareholdings, [as of 27 March 2023]". app.companiesoffice.govt.nz.
  2. "Internet giant Tencent Holdings acquires majority sKiwi gaming firm Grinding Gear Games". The New Zealand Herald. 21 May 2018. Retrieved 21 May 2018.
  3. "Path of Exile Enters Open Beta". IGN.com. 24 January 2013. Retrieved 21 May 2018.
  4. "Path of Exile 1.0, Steam, and sweet, sweet revenge". engadget.com. 4 October 2013. Retrieved 21 May 2018.
  5. "Grinding Gear Games". Grinding Gear Games. 5 May 2012. Retrieved 5 May 2012.
  6. "Kiwi RPG Path of Exile secures US$200,000 in crowdfunding". Gameplanet. 11 April 2012. Retrieved 15 May 2012.
  7. "NZ game Path of Exile crowd-funds $245,000 in six days". PCWorld. 11 April 2012. Archived from the original on 5 May 2012. Retrieved 5 May 2012.
  8. "Directors".
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