NetEase has closed T-Minus Zero Entertainment, the studio founded by MMO veteran Rich Vogel, just two years after its debut and before it could release even one game.
T-Minus Zero closes before leaving the launchpad
T-Minus Zero was first revealed in August 2023 as part of NetEase’s growing push into Western development. Led by Rich Vogel, known for his work on Ultima Online and Star Wars Galaxies, the studio carried a serious pedigree and aimed to build a new sci-fi action game from the ground up.
But now, the team is out of time.
NetEase confirmed the closure, saying it needed to “reassess our business priorities.” The company did not elaborate further, but Vogel’s post on LinkedIn made it clear: the studio was making progress, but not fast or financially secure enough.
NetEase Studio had a playable demo, but couldn’t lock funding
In his post, Vogel expressed gratitude for NetEase’s early support, saying the publisher provided both funding and help attracting investors. The team reportedly built a playable, hands-on demo that “generated a lot of interest.” But despite that progress, they couldn’t close the next round of funding.
The current market, he said, just didn’t cooperate.
A rough market claims another team
T-Minus Zero now joins a growing list of studios hit hard by shifting investment trends and internal belt-tightening. Layoffs and closures have surged industry-wide in 2024 and 2025, with both indie teams and AAA groups feeling the squeeze.
Even with a known founder, backing from a major publisher, and a working game prototype, T-Minus Zero couldn’t clear the runway.
This one never even got to lift off
Plenty of studios launch games and fade. But T-Minus Zero didn’t even get that chance. Two years, a demo, and a promising name weren’t enough to survive NetEase’s changing plans, and that says a lot about how brutal this market really is.
What the NetEase Studio had going for it
T-Minus Zero may not have shipped a game, but it wasn’t lacking in momentum. By the time of its closure, the team had already pulled together a strong foundation:
- A playable hands-on demo that sparked early interest
- Industry veterans with decades of MMO and live service experience
- Full financial backing from NetEase during early development
- A sci-fi action concept designed to appeal to global audiences
- Ongoing discussions with potential outside investors
In the end, none of that could outweigh the risk-averse climate that developers are now forced to navigate.
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