A "small group of veteran directors and founders" has stepped in to rescue T-Minus Zero Entertainment, previously a studio under NetEase

A group of experienced directors and founders have stepped in to revive T-Minus Zero Entertainment, a studio that was previously shut down by NetEase in September. The studio is now under new ownership after its closure.

Initially established by NetEase in August 2023, T-Minus Zero Entertainment included key figures such as Rich Vogel, a co-founder of BioWare Austin, along with seasoned developers from BioWare and Bethesda, including Mark Tucker, Jeff Dobson, and Scott Malone. For more details, visit the original launch announcement.

The shutdown of the Austin-based studio was publicly acknowledged by Rich Vogel shortly after it was reported that the partnership with NetEase had concluded. For more information on the closure, visit the closure announcement.

According to the team, they are relaunching with a renewed focus and commitment to creating an innovative player-centric game experience. The name T-Minus Zero Entertainment has been retained to honor the original team’s vision.

The new entity will function as an independent production company, adopting a development strategy modeled after independent films. This involves a concentrated, project-driven, and partnership-oriented funding strategy, as detailed in their statement.

The studio's previous collaboration with NetEase resulted in the creation of a world-class team, a novel intellectual property, and a playable prototype that highlighted their creative and operational capabilities. Despite the end of this partnership due to market changes, the team is optimistic about its future direction.

Under the newly established leadership structure, Zachary Beaudoin takes the lead as CEO, with Mark Tucker as Chief Creative Officer, Scott Stevens in the role of Chief Technology Officer, and Jef Dobson as Chief Art Officer. The company is currently in search of co-financing partners to support its next phase, aiming to advance its project to full production with partners who prioritize high-quality gameplay, excellent execution, and a sustainable business approach.