Tencent May Be Next After the TikTok Ban
Image Credit: TikTok | Written by Andrew Bame
The TikTok ban saga in the U.S. has been a wild ride, with the app disappearing from American devices faster than your roommate’s leftovers from the fridge. While TikTok’s removal might seem like a one-off, it’s opened up a whole new can of worms. If the government can boot an entire social network, what’s stopping them from looking at other major Chinese-owned entities? Enter Tencent, the video game giant that owns or has stakes in some of the biggest games on the planet.
What’s Tencent, and Why Should You Care?
Tencent isn’t just some company selling knockoff gadgets on the internet. It’s a massive Chinese conglomerate that has its fingers in pretty much every pie in the gaming world. To name a few:
Riot Games: Makers of League of Legends and Valorant.
Epic Games: Creators of Fortnite and Unreal Engine, with Tencent holding a significant 29% stake.
Supercell: Developers of Clash of Clans and Clash Royale.
Others: Minority stakes in Ubisoft, Bluehole (PUBG), Grinding Gear Games (Path of Exile), and PlatinumGames.
Basically, Tencent is everywhere. If you’ve played a popular game in the last decade, chances are Tencent is somehow involved.
Image Credit: Marvel Rivals, Clash of Clans, League of Legends, Fortnite
Could Tencent Face the Same Fate as TikTok?
The U.S. government cited national security concerns when targeting TikTok, pointing to its Chinese ownership. Tencent, being another Chinese powerhouse, could theoretically find itself in the same spotlight. The Department of Defense has already suggested links between Tencent and the Chinese military, though Tencent has firmly denied these allegations, calling it a “mistake.”
Still, the precedent is there. If the government decides Tencent’s influence in gaming is a risk, we could see drastic measures like forced divestments or even bans on games they own outright (League of Legends, we’re looking at you).
Why a Tencent Ban Would Be a Nightmare
Let’s imagine, for a moment, that the U.S. decides to go after Tencent. What happens then?
Massive Disruption: Tencent owns or invests in games played by millions daily. Pulling these games would be like ripping the heart out of the industry.
Game Over for Some Studios: Smaller developers reliant on Tencent funding could struggle or shut down entirely.
Legal and Technical Chaos: How do you even “ban” a game like Fortnite, which is partly owned by Tencent? Do you block updates? Demand they sell their stake? It’s a logistical nightmare.
What About Other Chinese-Owned Games?
Tencent isn’t the only big player here. Other Chinese companies, like HoYoverse (Genshin Impact) and NetEase (Marvel Rivals), also have a strong foothold in the U.S. gaming market. While they aren’t under scrutiny (yet), a domino effect isn’t impossible.
How Likely Is This?
Is it realistic to think Tencent could face the same treatment as TikTok? Honestly, it’s unlikely—but not impossible. Right now, the U.S. government probably doesn’t fully grasp how intertwined Tencent is with the gaming world. But if someone connects the dots and raises concerns about Chinese influence in games, things could get dicey.
Final Blurb
The TikTok ban has set a precedent that could ripple across industries, including gaming. While Tencent might seem untouchable, the current political climate shows that no company is entirely safe from scrutiny. For now, your favorite games are still playable—but if you see League of Legends disappearing overnight, don’t say we didn’t warn you.
In the meantime, maybe stock up on some single-player games. Just in case.
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