Grasshopper Manufacture Celebrates 25 Years of Innovation

As Grasshopper Manufacture marks its 25th anniversary, CEO Goichi "Suda 51" Suda affirms that the studio's ethos of "Punk's not dead" remains vibrant, driving its creative endeavors to surprise and inspire audiences. The studio's name is a nod to the British rock band Ride's song "Grasshopper" and reflects Suda's experience of constantly navigating between tasks in game development. Grasshopper gained international recognition with the 2005 release of Killer 7 on the Nintendo Gamecube, which received a significant boost from a publishing deal with Capcom and stood out for its unique narrative about a group of assassins battling a supernatural terrorist organization. Suda recounts that before Killer 7, the studio primarily focused on the Japanese market, but his interest in the global market was sparked after attending E3 for the first time, which he felt was the true "home" of video games. The success of Killer 7, produced by Shinji Mikami and distributed by Capcom, opened doors for the studio worldwide. Early in its portfolio, Grasshopper featured titles that boldly incorporated political themes, such as The Silver Case, a mystery involving a criminal seen as a hero for murdering corrupt politicians and criminals. Suda clarifies that these narrative choices were not about making the games political but rather about fleshing out characters with rich backgrounds to match the overall story. He explains that when creating these games, he focused on the main characters, developing their "backbone" and "surroundings," including their locations, social standings, and how they would interact with the politics of their time. The studio is perhaps best known for No More Heroes, a series led by Travis Touchdown, an assassin inspired by Johnny Knoxville of MTV's Jackass. Suda notes that in 2007, he and his team were confident that the first game would succeed, seeing it as a great fit for the Wii console but also a huge challenge. The game's completion felt like a new beginning for Grasshopper Manufacture, differentiating it from Killer7. Suda mentions that the studio does not receive significant royalties, but the No More Heroes and The Silver Case franchises have been its most successful titles in terms of sales. He highlights that game development is not as lucrative as perceived, especially for independent developers, as the majority of the profits go to the publishers. Suda emphasizes that the most challenging aspect of game development is when a game is canceled, as it results in a significant emotional and mental impact. Despite facing rough patches, including the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami in 2011, which led to a period of adjustment and exploring social and mobile games, Suda expresses gratitude for every title the studio has managed to release. In 2013, Grasshopper was acquired by GungHo Online Entertainment, but by 2018, it had separated and formed a new developer unit, shifting to independent operations. In 2019, it released Travis Strikes Again: No More Heroes. Suda notes that starting anew with a small team allowed him to focus on creating games freely, which resonated with veteran staff members who wanted to continue working with him. After being acquired by NetEase in 2021 and moving into a new office in 2022, Suda is now focused on "properly completing and shipping each individual game." The studio, now with a 53-person team, is developing a new IP, filled with energy and youth, including new graduates and seasoned members from around the world. Suda emphasizes the importance of open communication and a healthy work culture, opting to sit among his team rather than in a private office, encouraging collaboration and avoiding overtime. Reflecting on the studio's success, Suda attributes it to Grasshopper being true to itself, even if that means not appealing to everyone. He believes that the key to the studio's longevity is its approach to game development and the relationships it fosters, making people want to work with Suda and Grasshopper again.