T-Minus Zero Entertainment has been closed by NetEase

The closing of the Austin-based video game studio, T-Minus Zero Entertainment, has been confirmed by NetEase.

Rich Vogel, the studio's leader and co-founder, informed Game Developer of the shutdown shortly after revealing the end of the partnership with NetEase.

Through a LinkedIn post made on August 26, 2025, Vogel stated that the studio's collaboration with NetEase was concluding.

"Every journey has its twists and turns, and ours with NetEase is coming to an end," Vogel expressed in the update.

He further acknowledged NetEase for their extensive support, which included financial backing and assistance in marketing their project's playable demo. Despite generating interest, the studio encountered difficulties securing additional funding due to market conditions.

Originally established by NetEase in August 2023, T-Minus Zero Entertainment involved a team featuring former BioWare and Bethesda developers like Mark Tucker, Jeff Dobson, and Scott Malone, led by Vogel.

Their initial project was planned to be an online multiplayer action game set in a unique sci-fi environment.

"Our studio's mission is to create epic, immersive worlds where players from around the globe can play together, forming vibrant and passionate communities," Vogel shared at the time of launch.

When Vogel spoke with GamesIndustry.biz in September 2023, he highlighted potential challenges in developing an online game under current circumstances.

"We're doing games-as-a-service and that's not trivial," Vogel noted. He emphasized the substantial upfront investment required to get servers operational on a global scale prior to market entry.

In reflecting on the situation, Vogel acknowledged that prevailing conditions were not optimal for seeking funds but expressed confidence in their project's ability to captivate players.

In a statement, NetEase described the choice to close the studio as "difficult," underscoring the thoughtful consideration behind the decision and their admiration for the studio's creative ambition. They are assisting the team in navigating next steps following the closure.

GamesIndustry.biz has reached out to NetEase for further remarks regarding this development.