TiMi Studio Group

TiMi began in 2008 as Jade Studio{{efn|{{lang-zh|琳琅天上工作室}}}} in Shenzhen, China. The studio debuted into the Chinese PC gaming market with QQ Speed{{efn|{{lang-zh|QQ飞车端游}}}} (known as GKART and Speed Drifters in Western markets), China's most successful racing game. As of July 2, 2019, Speed Drifters has 700 million registered users, with 200 million registered as mobile players.{{Cite web|url=https://www.chuapp.com/article/286492.html|title="QQ飞车"用户超过7亿，11年来它的成绩到底如何？ - 触乐|website=www.chuapp.com|access-date=2019-09-18|archive-date=November 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130021138/http://www.chuapp.com/article/286492.html|url-status=live}} Following Speed Drifters, the studio released its own massive multiplayer online RPG (MMORPG) titled The Legend of Dragon{{efn|{{lang-zh|御龙在天}}}} in 2010 and first-person shooter (FPS) Assault Fire in 2012. In 2013, the studio released their final PC game which is a third-person shooter (TPS) titled Age of Gunslingers before they made their debut into mobile gaming with the release of WeChat exclusive games such as We Match and We Run.

In 2014, Jade Studio merged with Wolong Studio from Chengdu and Tianmeiyiyou Studio from Shanghai to form TiMi Studio Group.{{Cite web|url=http://games.qq.com/a/20141009/020906.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160806133708/http://games.qq.com/a/20141009/020906.htm|archive-date=2016-08-06|title=腾讯互娱成立4个工作室群 任宇昕：快速高效 激励创新_游戏_腾讯网|date=2016-08-06|access-date=2019-09-18}} Following the merge, in 2015, the group's development division TiMi-L1 debuted into mobile gaming with the massive Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) game, Honor of Kings. As of July 2019, Honor of Kings is the most profitable mobile game globally of the first half of 2019, earning more than $728 million.{{Cite web|url=https://pandaily.com/honor-of-kings-becomes-most-profitable-mobile-game-globally-in-the-first-half-of-2019/|title=Honor of Kings Becomes Most Profitable Mobile Game Globally in the First Half of 2019|last=Li|first=Gabriel|date=2019-07-05|website=Pandaily|language=en-US|access-date=2019-09-19|archive-date=September 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924024537/https://pandaily.com/honor-of-kings-becomes-most-profitable-mobile-game-globally-in-the-first-half-of-2019/|url-status=live}}

In 2016, the division introduced the King Pro League (KPL); an official competitive esport for Honor of Kings.{{efn|{{lang-zh|王者荣耀}}}} The KPL marked the division' and studio group' first entry into esports, providing a $12 million prize pool.{{Cite web|url=https://esportsinsider.com/2018/09/king-pro-league-apac/|title=King Pro League expands into APAC, finds news non-endemic sponsors|last=Fitch|first=Adam|date=2018-09-17|website=Esports Insider|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-09-19|archive-date=August 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809082436/https://esportsinsider.com/2018/09/king-pro-league-apac/|url-status=live}}

Following the success of Honor of Kings, in 2016, the group's development division TiMi-J6 released Arena of Valor.{{efn|{{lang-zh|傳說對決}}}} The MOBA game was launched for mobile and Nintendo Switch in over 50 countries across Asia, Europe, North America and South America, expanding the group's reach worldwide, with more than 13 million monthly active users reported in May 2019.{{Cite web|url=https://pandaily.com/arena-of-valor-enjoys-skyrocketing-popularity-like-its-chinese-counterpart-honour-of-kings/|title=Arena of Valor Enjoys Skyrocketing Popularity Like its Chinese Counterpart Honour of Kings|last=Lee|first=David|date=2019-07-14|website=Pandaily|language=en-US|access-date=2019-09-18|archive-date=September 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200921040140/https://pandaily.com/arena-of-valor-enjoys-skyrocketing-popularity-like-its-chinese-counterpart-honour-of-kings/|url-status=live}} The game became a part of the esports demonstration event at the 2018 Asian Games and 2019 Southeast Asian Games.{{Cite web |author=Adrian Lai |date=2019-12-08 |title=SEA Games 2019: Philippines Win Mobile Legends Gold |url=https://sea.ign.com/mobile-legendsbang-bang-android/155966/news/sea-games-2019-philippines-win-mobile-legends-gold |access-date=2024-12-26 |website=IGN Southeast Asia |language=en-sg}}{{Cite web |date=2019-12-07 |title=Inside the Singapore AoV squad at SEA Games 2019: Before the tournament |website=ONE Esports |url=https://www.oneesports.gg/arena-of-valor/inside-the-singapore-aov-squad-at-sea-games-2019-before-the-tournament/ |access-date=2024-12-26 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2019-12-09 |title=Thái Lan giành huy chương vàng Liên Quân tại SEA Games 30 |url=https://znews.vn/thai-lan-gianh-huy-chuong-vang-lien-quan-tai-sea-games-30-post1023361.html |access-date=2024-12-26 |website=Znews.vn |language=vi}}{{Cite news |last=Etchells |first=Daniel |date=2008-08-09 |title=Schedule for Asian Games esports demonstration event released |url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1068577/schedule-for-asian-games-esports-demonstration-event-released |access-date=2024-12-26 |work=Inside the Game}}

On 19 March 2019, at the Game Developers Conference (GDC) in San Francisco, California, Activision announced that they were partnering with TiMi Studio Group to develop their upcoming title, Call of Duty: Mobile.{{Cite web|url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2019/03/call-of-duty-mobile-announced-for-ios-android-made-by-chinas-tencent/|title=Call of Duty Mobile announced for iOS, Android, made by China's Tencent|last=Machkovech|first=Sam|date=2019-03-19|website=Ars Technica|language=en-us|access-date=2019-09-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190726195517/https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2019/03/call-of-duty-mobile-announced-for-ios-android-made-by-chinas-tencent/|archive-date=2019-07-26|url-status=live}} The game was developed by the TiMi-J3 division and released worldwide on 1 October 2019. As of 4 October 2019, the game has surpassed 35 million downloads and over $2 million in revenue.{{Cite web|url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/call-of-duty-mobile-reaches-over-35-million-downloads-in-three-days/|website=www.digitaltrends.com|access-date=2019-10-07|title=Call of Duty: Mobile Reaches 35 Million Downloads in 3 Days|date=4 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191007074224/https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/call-of-duty-mobile-reaches-over-35-million-downloads-in-three-days/|archive-date=2019-10-07|url-status=live}} In December 2019, the game received an award for Best Mobile Game at The Game Awards.{{Cite web|url=https://thegameawards.com/nominees/mobile-game|title=Mobile Game: Nominees |website=The Game Awards|last=Awards|first=The Game |access-date=2020-01-28|archive-date=January 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200128075120/https://thegameawards.com/nominees/mobile-game|url-status=live}}

In July 2019, it was announced that the studio group and The Pokémon Company are developing a new Pokémon game, which was revealed on 24 June 2020, called Pokémon UNITE, a Multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game for mobile and Nintendo Switch.{{Cite web|date=2019-07-23|title=China to finally get official game three years after Pokemon Go ban|url=https://www.scmp.com/news/china/society/article/3019788/chinese-fans-excited-tencent-and-pokemon-team-develop-new-game|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190905212904/https://www.scmp.com/news/china/society/article/3019788/chinese-fans-excited-tencent-and-pokemon-team-develop-new-game|archive-date=2019-09-05|access-date=2019-09-18|website=South China Morning Post|language=en}}{{Cite web|date=2019-07-22|title=Tencent TiMi Studio Group developing new Pokemon title|url=https://gematsu.com/2019/07/tencent-timi-studio-group-developing-new-pokemon-title|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190801003744/https://gematsu.com/2019/07/tencent-timi-studio-group-developing-new-pokemon-title|archive-date=2019-08-01|access-date=2019-09-18|website=Gematsu|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|title=Game Freak's big new Pokemon announcement is Pokemon Unite, a strategic battle game with Tencent|url=https://www.destructoid.com/stories/game-freak-s-big-new-pokemon-announcement-is-pokemon-unite-a-strategic-battle-game-with-tencent-595342.phtml|access-date=2020-06-24|website=Destructoid|date=24 June 2020|language=english|archive-date=June 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200624191902/https://www.destructoid.com/stories/game-freak-s-big-new-pokemon-announcement-is-pokemon-unite-a-strategic-battle-game-with-tencent-595342.phtml|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=Pokémon UNITE {{!}} Video Games & Apps|url=https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-video-games/pokemon-unite/|access-date=2020-06-28|website=www.pokemon.com|archive-date=February 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210201003002/https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-video-games/pokemon-unite/|url-status=live}}

In May 2020, the studio group announced ex-343 Industries and Ubisoft developer Scott Warner as Studio Head in North America.{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2020-05-20-scott-warner-to-lead-tencents-timi-studio|title=Scott Warner to lead Tencent's new TiMi Studios location in LA|date=May 20, 2020 |access-date=May 26, 2020|archive-date=May 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200527114012/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2020-05-20-scott-warner-to-lead-tencents-timi-studio|url-status=live}} Scott Warner will lead TiMi's Team Kaiju (stylized as TEAM KAIJU), which was revealed on 15 October 2021. The subsidiary is working on one unnamed first-person-shooter (FPS) game for the PC and console market.{{Cite web|last=Wilde|first=Thomas|date=15 October 2021|title=Interview with creative director at Tencent subsidiary TiMi's new Seattle studio, 'Team Kaiju'|url=https://www.geekwire.com/2021/interview-creative-director-tencent-subsidiary-timis-new-seattle-studio-team-kaiju/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211015163317/https://www.geekwire.com/2021/interview-creative-director-tencent-subsidiary-timis-new-seattle-studio-team-kaiju/|archive-date=15 October 2021|access-date=15 October 2021|website=GeekWire|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|last=Batchelor|first=James|date=15 October 2021|title=Tencent-owned Team Kaiju is searching for the untapped fantasies of first-person shooters|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-10-15-tencent-owned-team-kaiju-is-searching-for-the-untapped-fantasies-of-first-person-shooters|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211015164218/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-10-15-tencent-owned-team-kaiju-is-searching-for-the-untapped-fantasies-of-first-person-shooters|archive-date=15 October 2021|access-date=15 October 2021|website=GamesIndustry.biz|language=en}}

On 27 June 2020, the studio group and SNK announced a new unnamed mobile game, Code: J, for the classic arcade franchise Metal Slug.{{Cite web|date=2020-06-27|title=Tencent-developed Metal Slug Code: J announced for iOS, Android|url=https://www.gematsu.com/2020/06/tencent-developed-metal-slug-code-j-announced-for-ios-android|access-date=2020-06-28|website=Gematsu|language=en-US|archive-date=June 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200628143544/https://www.gematsu.com/2020/06/tencent-developed-metal-slug-code-j-announced-for-ios-android|url-status=live}}

In November 2020, the studio group announced that Honor of Kings set a record of 100 million average daily active users worldwide.{{Cite news|last=Li|first=Pei|date=2020-11-01|title=Tencent's Honor of Kings reports 100 million daily users, expands into new genres|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tencent-videogames-honorofkings-idUSKBN27H1HX|access-date=2020-12-02|archive-date=December 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203041144/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tencent-videogames-honorofkings-idUSKBN27H1HX|url-status=live}}

in July 2021, the group established a new division located in Canada, Montréal. The division's classification is TiMi-F1 and the development focus is an AAA open-world game.{{Cite web|last=Ye|first=Josh|date=20 October 2021|title=Tencent said to form gaming studio for metaverse-like developments|url=https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3153035/tencent-said-sharpen-focus-metaverse-developments-advanced-new-gaming|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020215540/https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3153035/tencent-said-sharpen-focus-metaverse-developments-advanced-new-gaming?module=perpetual_scroll&pgtype=article&campaign=3153035|archive-date=20 October 2021|access-date=20 October 2021|website=South China Morning Post|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=Takahashi|first=Dean|date=19 July 2021|title=Tencent's TiMi opens third North American triple-A game studio in Montreal|url=https://venturebeat.com/2021/07/19/tencents-timi-opens-third-north-american-triple-a-game-studio-in-montreal/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020220119/https://venturebeat.com/2021/07/19/tencents-timi-opens-third-north-american-triple-a-game-studio-in-montreal/|archive-date=20 October 2021|access-date=20 October 2021|website=VentureBeat|language=en-US}}

In May 2021, the studio group announced a strategic partnership with Xbox Game Studios.{{Cite web |title=官宣！腾讯天美工作室群正式与Xbox Game Studios达成战略合作关系 |url=http://mp.weixin.qq.com/s?__biz=MzA4ODA2MjM5Nw==&mid=2656159665&idx=1&sn=7b156d011bbf8ac94212a7383a974175&chksm=8b8a8763bcfd0e757b4b3a0b8eb259f3643ace2de77cf350cbc19aeb204ba78a821311d338be#rd |access-date=2022-10-16 |website=Weixin Official Accounts Platform |archive-date=October 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018155656/https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s?__biz=MzA4ODA2MjM5Nw==&mid=2656159665&idx=1&sn=7b156d011bbf8ac94212a7383a974175&chksm=8b8a8763bcfd0e757b4b3a0b8eb259f3643ace2de77cf350cbc19aeb204ba78a821311d338be#rd |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Peters |first=Jay |date=2021-05-13 |title=Xbox is partnering with the studio behind the world's biggest mobile games |url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/5/13/22434272/xbox-tencent-timi-studios-strategic-partnership-mobile |access-date=2022-10-16 |website=The Verge |language=en-US |archive-date=October 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221016084929/https://www.theverge.com/2021/5/13/22434272/xbox-tencent-timi-studios-strategic-partnership-mobile |url-status=live }}

In August 2021, a controversy occurred due to a language barrier on Twitter. The account which wanted to post "everyone's rights are equally important" rather shared "what about hetro rights", implying that LGBTQI2+ people having no discrimination, thus creating a negative view off TiMi.{{Cite web |last=Shearon |first=Andrea |date=2021-08-05 |title=Pokemon Unite Says, Erm, Heterosexual Rights |url=https://www.thegamer.com/pokemon-unite-timi-twitter-homophobia/ |access-date=2024-12-26 |website=TheGamer |language=en}} Bob Holtzman, General Communications Manager, shared on the 13th of August 2021 an open letter on the group's website apologising about the interactions, and clarifying that internal review have begun to learn from the situation.{{Cite web |last=bholtzman |date=2021-08-13 |title=A letter to the gaming community |url=https://www.timistudios.com/a-letter-to-the-gaming-community/ |access-date=2024-12-26 |website=TiMi Studio Group |language=en-US}} Later in the year, September 2021, it was reported, that TiMi does not allow LGBTQI2±related terms in Pokémon UNITE.{{Cite web |date=2021-09-27 |title=Pokemon Unite devs flamed over LGBT "censorship" in Squads |url=https://www.dexerto.com/pokemon/pokemon-unite-lgbt-censorship-squads-1663016/ |access-date=2024-12-26 |website=Dexerto |language=en}}

In June 2022, TiMi L1 Studio, a development division of the group, announced a strategic partnership with Level Infinite on publishing Honor of Kings world-wide, where Level Infinite will take over the publishing, eSports, but TiMi the operations and community. The five versus five video game in the multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) genre will adapt on areas where TiMi J6 Studio's Arena of Valor have a shared eSports with in Honor of Kings World Championship (KCC), under TiMi eSports, but did not reach the expected player base.{{Cite web |last1=Astle |first1=Aaron |last2=Writer |first2=Staff |title=Honor of Kings global mobile launch confirmed for 2022 |url=https://www.pocketgamer.biz/news/78951/honor-of-kings-global-mobile-launch-confirmed-for-2022/ |access-date=2022-06-23 |website=pocketgamer.biz |date=June 9, 2022 |archive-date=June 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220623070155/https://www.pocketgamer.biz/news/78951/honor-of-kings-global-mobile-launch-confirmed-for-2022/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2022-06-09 |title=Level Infinite and TiMi Studio Group to launch 'Honor of Kings' globally on mobile devices |url=https://www.animationxpress.com/games/level-infinite-and-timi-studio-group-to-launch-honor-of-kings-globally-on-mobile-devices/ |access-date=2022-06-23 |website=AnimationXpress |language=en-US |archive-date=June 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220623070155/https://www.animationxpress.com/games/level-infinite-and-timi-studio-group-to-launch-honor-of-kings-globally-on-mobile-devices/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Level Infinite Bersama dengan TiMi Studio Group Siap Luncurkan Honor of Kings Secara Global |url=https://voi.id/teknologi/176650/level-infinite-bersama-dengan-timi-studio-group-siap-luncurkan-honor-of-kings-secara-global |access-date=2022-06-23 |website=VOI - Waktunya Merevolusi Pemberitaan |language=id |archive-date=June 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220623070155/https://voi.id/teknologi/176650/level-infinite-bersama-dengan-timi-studio-group-siap-luncurkan-honor-of-kings-secara-global |url-status=live }}

In August 2022, Nicolas 'Sparth' Bouvier announced that he had joined Team Kaiju as the Senior Art Director. Previously Sparth had been with the Halo franchise for 14 years, serving as the Art Director for most of that tenure.

In December 2023, TiMi Studio Group shut down Team Kaiju, including discontinuing their unannounced game. The team members were moved to other development divisions, and some left the group.{{Cite web |last=Writer |first=Jeffrey Rousseau Staff |date=2023-12-18 |title=Tencent closes shop on Team Kaiju |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/tencent-closes-shop-on-team-kaiju |access-date=2024-08-10 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |language=en}}

Honor of Kings was launched worldwide on June 20, 2024, following pre-releases in Brazil and Turkey as well as countries in the Middle East, North Africa, and the Commonwealth of Independent States.{{cite web|last=Sheehan|first=Gavin|date=18 May 2024|title=Honor of Kings Continues Global Rollout To New Areas In June|url=https://bleedingcool.com/games/honor-of-kings-continues-global-rollout-to-new-areas-in-june/|website=Bleeding Cool|access-date=21 May 2024}}{{cite web|last=Wu|first=Jessie|date=21 June 2024|title=Tencent's hit mobile game Honor of Kings expands to over 160 countries|url=https://technode.com/2024/06/21/tencents-hit-mobile-game-honor-of-kings-expands-to-over-160-countries/|website=TechNode|access-date=22 June 2024}}

In November 2024, it was reported that eSports General Manager of TiMi L1 Studio, Zhang Yijia, was forced to resign from his position due to corruption affairs.{{Cite web |last=Chen |first=Hongyu |date=2024-11-08 |title=Sources: Tencent TiMi Studio Group L1 Global Esports GM Resigns - TEA |url=https://esportsadvocate.net/2024/11/sources-tencent-timi-studio-group-l1-global-esports-gm-resigns-over-alleged-corruption/ |access-date=2024-12-25 |website=The Esports Advocate |language=en}}

{{Incomplete list|date=October 2021}}

{{notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{Official website|https://www.timistudios.com/}}
• [https://kaiju.gg Team Kaiju]

{{Tencent}}

Category:Chinese companies established in 2008

Category:Companies based in Shenzhen

Category:Tencent Games

Category:Video game companies established in 2008

Category:Video game companies of China

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