Tencent is reportedly in discussions to acquire a minority stake in Hungry Studio, the company behind the mobile puzzle title Block Blast!. According to a report from Bloomberg, talks between the two companies have been underway for several months and could result in a deal announcement soon. No final agreement has been confirmed at this stage.
The reported move would align with Tencent’s established approach of investing in studios that have demonstrated strong performance in the global games market, particularly within the mobile segment.
Block Blast!’s Rapid User Growth
Hungry Studio was founded in 2021 and is headquartered in Hong Kong. In a relatively short period, the company has positioned Block Blast! as one of the most widely played puzzle games on mobile devices. By the end of 2025, the studio reported that the game had reached 70 million daily active users and 300 million monthly active users.
Block Blast! is currently available in more than 200 countries and regions. The title has ranked first in the puzzle category in over 40 markets, reflecting consistent download performance and user retention across multiple territories. These figures place the game among the more prominent mobile puzzle releases in recent years and may help explain Tencent’s reported interest.
Tencent’s Ongoing Investment Strategy
Tencent, based in Shenzhen, has a history of acquiring minority stakes in game developers and publishers rather than pursuing full takeovers in every case. The company holds investments in studios such as Riot Games and Shift Up, among others, giving it exposure to a range of successful franchises across PC, console, and mobile platforms.
This strategy allows Tencent to expand its footprint in the global games industry while enabling partner studios to maintain operational control. If a deal with Hungry Studio is finalized, it would continue this pattern of targeted investments in developers with proven audience reach and scalable intellectual property.
Recent Changes Within Tencent’s Studio Network
The reported talks come during a period of adjustment within Tencent’s broader games business. The company recently shut down TiMi Montreal, a studio established less than five years ago that did not release a game before its closure. While Tencent remains active in global investments, it has also streamlined certain internal operations.
An investment in Hungry Studio would represent a continued focus on externally developed titles that already demonstrate strong market performance, particularly in the competitive mobile games space.
What a Potential Deal Could Mean
If confirmed, Tencent’s minority investment could provide Hungry Studio with additional financial backing and strategic support as it continues to expand Block Blast! and potentially develop new projects. For Tencent, the move would reinforce its presence in the mobile puzzle genre, a category that remains a consistent driver of downloads and recurring user engagement worldwide.
At the time of writing, neither company has publicly confirmed the outcome of the discussions.
Source: PocketGamer
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Tencent buying Hungry Studio?
Tencent is reportedly in talks to acquire a small minority stake in Hungry Studio. As of now, no final agreement has been officially announced.
What is Block Blast!?
Block Blast! is a mobile puzzle game developed by Hungry Studio. By the end of 2025, it had reached 70 million daily active users and 300 million monthly active users worldwide.
Who owns Hungry Studio?
Hungry Studio is an independent game developer founded in 2021 and headquartered in Hong Kong. Tencent is reportedly in discussions to invest but has not confirmed any ownership stake.
Why is Tencent interested in Hungry Studio?
Tencent has a long-standing strategy of investing in successful game developers. Block Blast!’s large global user base and strong performance in the puzzle category may make Hungry Studio an attractive investment opportunity.
What other gaming companies has Tencent invested in?
Tencent has invested in several major gaming companies, including Riot Games and Shift Up, as part of its broader strategy to expand its global presence in the video game industry.
