NetEase Shut It Down — Dragon Age and Halo Veterans Bring Their Studio Back in Under 90 Days

Quick one from the games corner: the studio NetEase shut down in August is suddenly alive again. T-Minus Zero Entertainment, originally founded by former BioWare vet Rich Vogel, has been reactivated by a crew of industry lifers, now operating independently and very openly shopping for funding. It is a whiplash move, and the backstory is a little inside-the-room.

Wait, what was T-Minus Zero again?

They launched in 2023 with NetEase money and were building a third-person multiplayer shooter set in a sci-fi world. No title, no public reveal, but there was a playable build before the axe fell. According to the team, early feedback from players, partners, and peers convinced them they had something with real market potential. Then NetEase made cuts across several studios, and T-Minus Zero went dark in August. Now they are back, independent, with a tightened mission and a plan to raise more cash.

Who is steering the reboot

• Zachary Beaudoin is now CEO and executive producer (he was the production director before the shutdown). He has led teams at BioWare, Activision/Blizzard, and Crystal Dynamics.
• Scott Stevens remains on the team; his credits include Call of Duty: Ghosts and Halo 4.
• Mark Tucker and Jeff Dobson are also still in the mix.
• Founder Rich Vogel still lists T-Minus Zero on LinkedIn at the moment, but it is unclear if he is actively involved.

So... what are they making?

They are being cagey. No clear sign if they are resurrecting the same sci-fi shooter or pivoting. The new pitch calls it a fresh spin on a genre idea with data to suggest people want it, and it is designed to scale across platforms. Translation: they have something they can grow if the money comes together.

The plan to pay for it

This is the very behind-the-scenes part. Instead of relying on a single publisher, they are borrowing an indie-film-style model: focused, project-based financing with partner-friendly terms. They are actively seeking co-investors right now to move from concept into full production and say they are prioritizing gameplay-first execution and a business plan that will not burn the house down.

"We are now seeking co-financing partners for our next round of development financing. Our immediate goal: bring our concept to full production with the right strategic allies - those who value quality gameplay-first experiences, executional excellence, and a sustainable business model."

That is from Beaudoin, who also describes the studio as rebuilt by a tight, veteran group on both the technical and creative sides. In other words: small, senior, and set up to move fast if the checks clear.

Where this leaves them

Short version: back from the dead, independent, and hunting for money with a pitch built around a genre-forward concept that already tested well internally. If they lock down financing, they are aiming to sprint into full production.

A quick NetEase note

Worth pointing out: while NetEase shuttered the original T-Minus Zero effort during its cuts, it is also pushing ahead elsewhere. The company has a first AAA single-player game on the way that early buzz frames as brutal, cinematic, and, as some fans put it, like a Tang Dynasty take on Uncharted.