NetEase Shutters Another Game Studio It Funded Just Two Years Ago

NetEase Games Faces Turbulent Times in Game Development

In recent years, NetEase Games has made significant investments in various game development studios across the West and Japan. However, a troubling trend has emerged: many of these studios have been unexpectedly shut down during the development of projects that initially piqued NetEase’s interest.

Disbanded Studios and Their Projects

Among the notable casualties are:

Worlds Untold: Created by a former Mass Effect writer, the team was immersed in crafting a captivating sci-fi action/adventure game.
Jar of Sparks: Founded by ex-Halo Infinite developers, this studio had high hopes for their projects.
Ouka Studios: The only studio to successfully launch a game—Visions of Mana—prior to its closure.
T-Minus Zero Entertainment: Recently granted another chance by a few veteran developers eager to maintain the studio’s legacy.
Fantastic Pixel Castle: Currently facing a deadline of November 17 for funding pursuits under the leadership of founder Greg Street.

November 17 Deadline and Wider Implications

Coincidentally, the deadline set for Fantastic Pixel Castle aligns with that of Bad Brain Game Studios, based in Montréal. In a recent LinkedIn announcement, the studio’s head, Sean Crooks, a former Ubisoft developer, expressed optimism for their project, The Midnight Riders:

As we close this chapter, the game and its underlying IP is still available for acquisition or partnership, and we/NetEase are open to discussions with publishers or studios who see potential in continuing its development. We believe strongly in what was created, and would love to see this world find its way to players.

To promote their efforts, Bad Brain Game Studios unveiled a captivating sizzle reel, which drew comparisons to the aesthetic of a classic Stranger Things game. During an interview with Crooks in June 2023, he articulated his creative vision as a fusion of ‘Steven Spielberg meets Stephen King’ set in an engaging open world framed by a coming-of-age narrative reminiscent of the 1980s.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAQF3FhG6xI

The Midnight Riders Sizzle Reel – Made by Bad Brain Game Studios (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAQF3FhG6xI)

Uncertain Futures for Other Studios

Additonally, studios like Jackalyptic Games, which is developing a Warhammer-themed massively multiplayer online game, are experiencing uncertainty about their future. Reports indicate that the studio, under the direction of Jack Emmert, is actively seeking new publishing partners amid a sea of speculation and insufficient updates.

In a further blow, even esteemed talents such as Toshihiro Nagoshi, the mastermind behind the acclaimed Yakuza series, have only received enough resources from NetEase to complete their current project, with indications that the company may be withdrawing marketing support.

As the landscape of game development continues to evolve, stakeholders will be watching closely to see how these developments unfold and what they mean for the future of these studios and their projects.

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