NetEase Closes Bad Brain Game Studios: A Look at the Studio’s Closure

Bad Brain Game Studios, a Western studio founded in 2023 by former Ubisoft and Watch Dogs: Legion developers, is set to shut down on November 17, 2025. The closure comes as NetEase, the parent company, has pulled funding for the studio.

The studio’s last project, codenamed Midnight Riders, was unable to secure a new publisher, leading to the decision to cease operations. Despite efforts to find a new partner, Bad Brain Game Studios was unable to continue its work.

This closure marks the fifth Western studio that NetEase has shut down in recent years. The studio was known for its work on various projects, including a MMO codenamed Ghost, led by a World of Warcraft veteran.

NetEase’s decision to pull funding from Bad Brain Game Studios reflects the challenges faced by game developers in securing financial support for their projects. The closure of the studio highlights the competitive nature of the gaming industry and the difficulties in sustaining independent studios.

As Bad Brain Game Studios prepares to close its doors, the future of its developers remains uncertain. The gaming community mourns the loss of yet another studio, as the industry continues to evolve and adapt to changing market dynamics.