Tencent Wanted God of War Dev to Direct a Game for 100 Million; He Refused
Tencent offered David Jaffe the opportunity to direct a game for $100 million. The creator declined due to his views on the Chinese government.
- Tencent offered a job to David Jaffe, the creator of God of War;
- The developer was offered to direct a game for $100 million;
- The developer refused due to the fact that the company is from China.
David Jaffe, the developer responsible for creating such titles as God of War or Twisted Metal, has recently received an interesting proposal.
The developer was contacted by the Chinese company Tencent, who wanted him to direct a video game for $100 million. The developer refused.
Work incompatible with values
David Jaffe shared information about the proposal with the host of the Sacred Symbols podcast (via VGC). The Chinese company (through its western branch) was said to have offered the developer very attractive terms of cooperation.
One of the biggest advantages of the project was the aforementioned budget. Jaffe was to be given the opportunity to direct a game for $100 million, which would enable him not to worry about too many restrictions.
Ultimately, the developer refused because working with Tencent is not in line with his values. Jaffe simply does not want to work for the Chinese business.
"I was offered a $100 million contract. I was solicited by a Chinese company and I said 'no, thank you' because you are Tencent and I want nothing to do with you."
Jaffe stated that he would not feel comfortable working with a company that is under the Chinese government, which in his opinion is a denial of the idea of freedom. The developer also mentioned the surveillance and persecution of minorities that takes place in China.
After the publication of the interview, the creator also posted a fragment of his conversation with the company's representative on Twitter. They include other reasons for refusing to sign the contract.
Jaffe is supposed to feel comfortable as a person engaged in talking about games and streaming them, rather than creating them. So he does not plan to return to producing more titles.
