Bad Brain Game Studios, founded by former Ubisoft developers, will shut down on November 17 due to funding issues after NetEase Games withdrew support. The studio's upcoming project, Midnight Riders, remains available for acquisition or partnership. This closure highlights ongoing challenges in Western game development tied to NetEase's recent pullback.
Studio Background
Bad Brain Game Studios was established by developers previously involved with Ubisoft projects, including Watch Dogs: Legion. The team, consisting of 11-50 employees, focused on innovative game development but faced significant hurdles in securing ongoing funding.
Closure Details
The studio announced its closure effective November 17, following NetEase's decision to pull financial support. Despite efforts to find a new partner, no viable path forward emerged. A sizzle reel for their upcoming game, Midnight Riders, was shared on the company's LinkedIn page alongside the closure statement, emphasizing the project's potential.
Official Statement
In a LinkedIn post, the studio expressed gratitude and reflected on their journey: "Despite our continuing efforts to seek a new partner for the project, a path forward has yet to materialize. We are deeply grateful to NetEase Games for their support and for giving us runway to explore every possible opportunity. Our team poured everything into this journey — pushing creative and technical boundaries every day with passion, imagination, and craft. What we achieved together stands as lasting proof of this team’s extraordinary talent."
The statement continued: "The enthusiastic response our project has received is a direct reflection of that creativity and dedication. While the outcome may not be what we had hoped for, I’ve seen firsthand that we succeeded in reaching players and peers who believed in what we were building. To those who supported the game, shared encouragement, and championed our vision — thank you."
Broader Context
This marks another casualty of NetEase's withdrawal from Western game development. Similar closures include Fantastic Pixel Castle last month and T-Minus Zero in September, underscoring a precarious period for the industry amid layoffs and funding shortages.