Studio founded by gaming veterans from Ultima Online and Star Wars Galaxies, backed by NetEase, is shut down, failing to release a single game.

In a surprising turn of events, NetEase, the Chinese multinational internet technology company, has announced the closure of T-Minus Zero Entertainment, a first-party studio founded by veteran MMO developer Rich Vogel in 2023.

T-Minus Zero was developing a third-person online multiplayer action game set in a sci-fi universe. The studio, which was funded by NetEase, had been working on this project for some time, but it seems the game was unable to secure funding due to current market conditions.

This closure marks the third Western studio that NetEase has shut down in the past year. The company had initially stated it was working to find a new publishing home for T-Minus Zero, but later confirmed it had ended funding, citing a need to reassess business priorities.

NetEase has also closed Jerry Hook's Jar of Sparks and Marvel Rivals, two additional Western studios. The reasons for these closures are not explicitly detailed in the available information. However, NetEase's representative has expressed continued inspiration from the studios' bold visions but had to reassess business priorities.

In a LinkedIn post, Rich Vogel expressed gratitude for NetEase's support and expressed his hope for the future of the gaming industry. Jerry Hook's background or history in the gaming industry is not mentioned in the given context.

Development for Marvel Rivals, a project based in Seattle, was consolidated in China to optimize development efficiency. Meanwhile, NetEase laid off the Marvel Rivals development team in Seattle.

It's worth noting that Jerry Hook's Jar of Sparks and Marvel Rivals are separate entities from T-Minus Zero Entertainment. Vogel has a history of working at companies including Bethesda, BioWare, Sony Online Entertainment, EA, and 3DO.

The closure of these studios comes as a blow to the gaming industry, particularly in the Western market. As we move forward, it will be interesting to see how these closures impact the industry and if new opportunities arise for the talented teams involved.

Studio founded by gaming veterans from Ultima Online and Star Wars Galaxies, backed by NetEase, is shut down, failing to release a single game.