NetEase’s Bad Brain Game Studios to Close After Funding Pulled

Another blow has hit the gaming industry as Bad Brain Game Studios, a subsidiary of NetEase, has announced its closure after failing to secure necessary funding. The studio, founded in 2023 by former Ubisoft developers, including those who worked on Watch Dogs: Legion, will be shutting down on November 17, 2025.

This marks the third NetEase studio closure in a matter of weeks, raising concerns about the stability of the company’s internal studio network. Bad Brain Game Studios was unable to find a new partner for its ongoing project codenamed Midnight Riders, leading to the decision to cease operations.

Despite efforts to seek a new publisher for their latest title, Midnight Riders, Bad Brain Game Studios was unsuccessful in securing the necessary support. The closure comes as a disappointment to the development team and fans who were eagerly anticipating the release of the project.

NetEase’s decision to pull the plug on funding for Bad Brain Game Studios reflects a wider trend of scaling down internal studios within the company. This move follows previous layoffs across NetEase’s studio network, signaling a shift in strategy for the Chinese gaming giant.

As the gaming industry continues to evolve, closures like Bad Brain Game Studios serve as a reminder of the challenges faced by developers in securing funding and support for their projects. The impact of studio closures extends beyond the development team to the wider gaming community, who may miss out on innovative and exciting new titles.

It is a sad day for the gaming industry as Bad Brain Game Studios prepares to close its doors, leaving behind a legacy of talented developers and unfinished projects. The future of the gaming landscape remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the need for stable funding and support for game development studios is more crucial than ever.