Engine giant Unity is apparently in the process of forming a Chinese unit entirely separate to the main company.

That's according to Reuters, which reports that the engine firm has been courting investors in the region – whom have backed metaverse plays – to fund what it reckons is a $1 billion business.

Unity is attempting to spin-off its Chinese business so that its tech can be used more widely in the country. This includes modelling for smart cities and industrial design, and – of course – the metaverse. This separate unit of Unity would give it more freedom and local ownership and might result in more business from local partners.

A China-specific Unity has been in the works for at least a year, with regional CEO Zhang Junbo helming this effort. Zhang told Chinese outlet 36Kr that Unity was attempting to make its tech "safe and controllable" within China. He also mentioned that there are plans to hire more than 1,000 engineers in the future, in addition to expanding its footprint in Beijing, Guangzhou and Shanghai.  

Unity set up shop in China back in 2012.