GCL Subsidiary 4Divinity signs Publishing Agreement for ‘The Defiant’
GCL Global Holdings (NASDAQ:GCL) announced that its subsidiary 4Divinity has secured a global publishing agreement with Hangzhou Hoothanes Technology for the upcoming game "The Defiant".
The game is a first-person shooter set during the Second Sino-Japanese War, featuring a mix of stealth, action, and espionage gameplay. Initially developed for PC with potential console releases, the game follows a resistance fighter's journey through war-torn China, combining tactical combat with narrative elements.
Under the agreement, 4Divinity will manage marketing, distribution, and platform negotiations. The deal includes a 90-day first refusal right for future Hoothanes titles and transmedia opportunities.
GCL Global Holdings (NASDAQ:GCL) ha comunicato che la sua controllata 4Divinity ha siglato un accordo di pubblicazione globale con Hangzhou Hoothanes Technology per il prossimo titolo "The Defiant".
Si tratta di uno sparatutto in prima persona ambientato durante la Seconda Guerra Sino-Giapponese, che mescola elementi di stealth, azione e spionaggio. Sviluppato inizialmente per PC con possibili approdi su console, il gioco racconta il percorso di un combattente della resistenza nella Cina dilaniata dalla guerra, unendo combattimenti tattici a una componente narrativa.
Secondo l’intesa, 4Divinity si occuperà di marketing, distribuzione e trattative con le piattaforme. L’accordo prevede inoltre un diritto di prelazione di 90 giorni su futuri titoli e opportunità transmediali di Hoothanes.
GCL Global Holdings (NASDAQ:GCL) anunció que su filial 4Divinity ha alcanzado un acuerdo de publicación global con Hangzhou Hoothanes Technology para el próximo juego "The Defiant".
El título es un shooter en primera persona ambientado durante la Segunda Guerra Sino-Japonesa, que combina sigilo, acción y espionaje. Desarrollado inicialmente para PC con posible lanzamiento en consolas, el juego sigue la trayectoria de un luchador de la resistencia en una China devastada por la guerra, mezclando combate táctico con elementos narrativos.
Según el acuerdo, 4Divinity gestionará el marketing, la distribución y las negociaciones con las plataformas. El contrato incluye además un derecho de tanteo de 90 días sobre futuros títulos de Hoothanes y oportunidades transmedia.
GCL Global Holdings (NASDAQ:GCL)는 자회사 4Divinity가 항저우 후세인스(Hangzhou Hoothanes Technology)와 신작 "The Defiant"의 글로벌 퍼블리싱 계약을 체결했다고 발표했습니다.
이 게임은 중일전쟁(제2차 중일전쟁)을 배경으로 한 1인칭 슈팅 게임으로 은신, 액션, 첩보 요소가 혼합되어 있습니다. 초기에는 PC용으로 개발되었으며 콘솔 출시 가능성도 열려 있습니다. 전쟁으로 황폐해진 중국을 배경으로 저항군 전사의 여정을 따라가며 전술적 전투와 스토리 요소를 결합합니다.
계약에 따라 4Divinity는 마케팅, 유통 및 플랫폼 협상을 담당합니다. 또한 향후 Hoothanes의 타이틀과 트랜스미디어 기회에 대해 90일 우선권을 보유하는 내용이 포함되어 있습니다.
GCL Global Holdings (NASDAQ:GCL) a annoncé que sa filiale 4Divinity a conclu un accord d'édition mondiale avec Hangzhou Hoothanes Technology pour le prochain jeu "The Defiant".
Il s'agit d'un FPS se déroulant pendant la deuxième guerre sino-japonaise, mêlant furtivité, action et espionnage. Développé à l'origine pour PC avec de possibles sorties sur consoles, le titre suit le parcours d'un membre de la résistance dans une Chine ravagée par la guerre, alliant combats tactiques et narration.
Dans le cadre de l'accord, 4Divinity prendra en charge le marketing, la distribution et les négociations avec les plateformes. Le contrat inclut également un droit de première refus de 90 jours sur les futurs titres de Hoothanes et les opportunités transmédias.
GCL Global Holdings (NASDAQ:GCL) gab bekannt, dass seine Tochtergesellschaft 4Divinity einen globalen Publishing-Vertrag mit Hangzhou Hoothanes Technology für das kommende Spiel "The Defiant" abgeschlossen hat.
Das Spiel ist ein Ego-Shooter, der während des Zweiten Chinesisch-Japanischen Kriegs spielt und Elemente aus Stealth, Action und Spionage vereint. Zunächst für den PC entwickelt, sind mögliche Konsolenveröffentlichungen denkbar. Die Handlung begleitet einen Widerstandskämpfer durch das kriegsgeplagte China und verbindet taktische Gefechte mit erzählerischen Komponenten.
Gemäß der Vereinbarung wird 4Divinity Marketing, Distribution und Verhandlungen mit Plattformen übernehmen. Der Vertrag sieht zudem ein 90-tägiges Vorkaufsrecht für zukünftige Hoothanes-Titel und Transmedia-Möglichkeiten vor.
- Strategic expansion into the first-person shooter market with a unique historical setting
- Secured publishing rights for potential future titles through 90-day first refusal clause
- Diversification of game portfolio with narrative-driven content
- Success dependent on unproven developer Hoothanes
- Entering highly competitive first-person shooter market dominated by established franchises
Insights
GCL expands publishing portfolio with narrative FPS 'The Defiant', strengthening Asian IP strategy with global distribution rights.
GCL's subsidiary 4Divinity has secured a strategic publishing agreement with Chinese developer Hoothanes for "The Defiant" (抵抗者), a narrative-driven first-person shooter set during the Second Sino-Japanese War. This deal represents a calculated expansion of GCL's publishing portfolio into the historically underrepresented Chinese gaming market.
The agreement positions 4Divinity with comprehensive control over marketing, distribution, and monetization strategies, creating multiple revenue levers for GCL. More significantly, the 90-day first refusal rights for future Hoothanes titles and transmedia opportunities demonstrates forward-thinking value creation beyond single-title economics.
While the first-person shooter genre is crowded with established franchises, "The Defiant" attempts differentiation through historical setting and narrative elements rarely explored in Western markets. The game's cultural specificity paired with universal gameplay mechanics aligns with growing market interest in authentic Asian storytelling following successes like
The initial PC-first development approach with potential console expansion represents a measured risk strategy, allowing for scalable investment based on initial market reception. This partnership exemplifies GCL's strategic pivot toward becoming a significant global publisher of Asian-developed intellectual property, potentially generating recurring revenue streams if successful while diversifying beyond their existing portfolio.
SINGAPORE, Sept. 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- GCL Global Holdings Ltd. (Nasdaq: GCL) (“GCL” or the “Company”), a leading provider of games and entertainment, today announced that its publishing subsidiary, 4Divinity Pte. Ltd. (“4Divinity”), entered into a global publishing agreement with Hangzhou Hoothanes Technology Co., Ltd. (“Hoothanes”) for the upcoming multi-platform game “The Defiant” (抵抗者).
An evocative mix of history, espionage, and tactical gameplay
Currently under development, “The Defiant” is a bold new first-person shooter set against the rarely explored backdrop of the Second Sino-Japanese War in China between the 1930s and 1940s. Blending stealth, action, and espionage, the game casts players as a resistance fighter navigating the turmoil of wartime occupation. It delivers a gripping single-player campaign that balances high-intensity firefights with atmospheric stealth missions. Players will traverse shadowy streets and war-torn villages, accompanied by a loyal companion who adds emotional depth to the journey.
Featuring a historically inspired arsenal and integrated puzzle elements to enrich gameplay, “The Defiant” will offer a distinct mix of tension, strategy, and storytelling. Initially developed for PC, with console platforms under consideration, the game aspires to challenge genre heavyweights by delivering a narrative-driven shooter that honors its cultural roots while appealing to global audiences. With its evocative setting, cinematic flair, and tactical gameplay, we believe “The Defiant” is poised to become a standout title in the next wave of Asian-developed IP.
“This partnership reflects our commitment to supporting visionary developers and scaling original IP for global audiences,” said Sebastian Toke, Group CEO of GCL. “Defiant is a genre-defining title with deep narrative and gameplay innovation, and we’re proud to help shape its journey from development to global release.”
Subject to certain conditions set forth in the agreement, 4Divinity will lead all marketing, distribution, and platform negotiations of “The Defiant”, with full discretion over release strategy and monetization.
“We are excited to partner with 4Divinity and GCL to introduce The Defiant to players worldwide,” said Kong Yuheng, Founder of Hoothanes. “Their publishing expertise and resources will enable us to focus on delivering a game that’s both artistically ambitious and commercially impactful.”
Assuming certain conditions are met, the agreement also includes a 90-day rights of first refusal for future titles and transmedia opportunities developed by Hoothanes, reinforcing GCL’s long-term commitment to cultivating high-quality Asian IP.
About GCL Global Holdings Ltd.
GCL Global Holdings Ltd. unites people through immersive games and entertainment experiences, enabling creators to deliver engaging content and fun gameplay experiences to gaming communities worldwide with a strategic focus on the rapidly expanding Asian gaming market.
Drawing on a deep understanding of gaming trends and market dynamics, GCL Group leverages its diverse portfolio of digital and physical content to bridge cultures and audiences by introducing Asian-developed IP to a global audience across consoles, PCs, and streaming platforms.
Learn more at http://www.gclglobalholdings.com
About 4Divinity
4Divinity is a digital and retail games publishing company and a wholly owned subsidiary of GCL, focused on bringing exciting game content from around the world to Asia and introducing Asian content to a global market. Along with its sister company, Epicsoft Asia, 4Divinity is partnering with publishers and development studios to introduce brand-new IP to the region. https://www.4divinity.com/
About Hangzhou Hoothanes Technology Co., Ltd.
Hoothanes is a China-based game development studio known for its innovative gameplay systems and immersive storytelling. With “The Defiant”, the studio aims to deliver a premium cross-platform experience that blends tactical depth with cinematic narrative.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes “forward-looking statements” made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and may be identified by the use of words such as “estimate,” “plan,” “project,” “forecast,” “intend,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “seek,” “target” or other similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. These forward-looking statements may also include, but are not limited to, statements regarding projections, estimates and forecasts of revenue and other financial and performance metrics, projections of market opportunity and expectations, the estimated implied enterprise value of GCL, GCL’s ability to scale and grow its business, the expected benefits of the acquisition of Ban Leong Technologies Limited, the advantages and expected growth of GCL, and GCL’s ability to source and retain creative talent and publish games. These statements are based on various assumptions, whether or not identified in this press release, and on the current expectations of GCL’s management and are not predictions of actual performance.
These statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Although GCL believes that it has a reasonable basis for each forward-looking statement contained in this press release, GCL cautions you that these statements are based on a combination of facts and factors currently known and projections of the future, which are inherently uncertain. In addition, there are risks and uncertainties described in GCL’s annual report on Form 20-F, filed with the SEC on July 31, 2025, and other documents filed by GCL from time to time with the SEC. These filings may identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. GCL cannot assure you that the forward-looking statements in this press release will prove to be accurate. There may be additional risks that GCL presently knows or that GCL currently believes are immaterial that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. In light of the significant uncertainties in these forward-looking statements, nothing in this press release should be regarded as a representation by any person that the forward-looking statements set forth herein will be achieved or that any of the contemplated results of such forward-looking statements will be achieved. The forward-looking statements in this press release represent the views of GCL as of the date of this press release. Subsequent events and developments may cause those views to change. However, while GCL may update these forward-looking statements in the future, there is no current intention to do so, except to the extent required by applicable law. You should, therefore, not rely on these forward-looking statements as representing the views of GCL as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release. Except as may be required by law, GCL does not undertake any duty to update these forward-looking statements.
GCL Investor Relations:
Crocker Coulson
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(646) 652-7185
FAQ
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