NetEase shuts down overseas studio T-Minus Zero, citing funding issues

NetEase has closed its Austin, Texas-based studio, T-Minus Zero Entertainment. The studio’s co-founder, Rich Vogel, announced on LinkedIn on August 26 that while NetEase had provided ample resources and the team had made encouraging progress, including developing a playable demo, the current market environment prevented the studio from securing sufficient funding. A NetEase spokesperson said the decision was a difficult one made after careful consideration, adding that the company is reassessing its strategic priorities and has already worked with studio staff to handle follow-up arrangements. Founded in September 2023, T-Minus Zero was led by industry veterans from BioWare and Bethesda. [IThome, in Chinese]