NetEase to close another studio — Bad Brain Game Studios
NetEase continues to downsize. This time, it has decided to disband Bad Brain Game Studios, a Canadian studio led by former Watch Dogs: Legion lead producer Sean Crooks.
Concept art for The Midnight Riders
The studio announced its upcoming closure on LinkedIn. Its last working day will be November 17.
According to Bad Brain Game Studios, before deciding to close, the Chinese giant gave it time to find a new partner, but these efforts were unsuccessful. However, there is still hope to preserve, if not the studio itself, then at least its legacy. Bad Brain Game Studios is open to selling its unreleased debut game to another team, which would finish its development. Another option still being explored is a deal with a publisher or investor.
Bad Brain Game Studios operated for two and a half years. It worked on an action-adventure game under the codename The Midnight Riders, inspired by 1980s films and novels about paranormal phenomena.
Incidentally, Bad Brain Game Studios is not the only subsidiary of NetEase set to close on November 17. On the same date, the disbandment of Fantastic Pixel Castle, which also existed for just over two years, is scheduled.