Copyright InvenGlobal
T-Minus Zero Entertainment, a studio NetEase shuttered in September, has been acquired and revived by its founding group alongside a small cadre of veteran directors. T-Minus Zero Entertainment was a development studio NetEase established in 2023 in Austin, Texas. The studio head was industry veteran Rich Vogel, who had overseen the creation of multiple studios, including Sony Online Entertainment Austin and BioWare Austin. The founding lineup also included: Mark Tucker, a game director with 22 years of experience in game design on titles such as Fallout 76 and Doom; Jeff Dobson, an art director with 26 years in the field whose credits include Dragon Age: Inquisition and Star Wars: The Old Republic; and Scott Malone, an operations and production specialist with 10 years’ experience who contributed to The Elder Scrolls Online and Fallout 76—a roster that raised expectations from the outset. Formed with this talent, T-Minus Zero Entertainment planned to develop a new sci-fi MMO action title. Although based in Austin’s tech hub, the studio adopted a remote-first model and began recruiting developers worldwide who were passionate about building an original IP. However, the split with NetEase was foreshadowed earlier this year, and the studio was closed in September, putting the project at risk of being scuttled. Two months later, the T-Minus Zero team’s original founders and a small group of veteran directors acquired the company name and relaunched it as an independent production outfit. T-Minus Zero Entertainment then issued a statement to overseas outlets including GamesIndustry.biz, confirming the news. According to the statement, T-Minus Zero Entertainment will complete its in-progress project using a development model and financing approach inspired by the independent film world. In the relaunched T-Minus Zero Entertainment, Zachary Beaudoin—formerly a director on Anthem at BioWare—serves as CEO. Mark Tucker becomes CCO, while Scott Stevens and Jeff Dobson take the roles of CTO and Chief Art Officer (CAO), respectively. Speaking to foreign media including GamesIndustry.biz, T-Minus Zero Entertainment said, “We’re now looking for co-financing partners for the next round of development funding, and we’re taking our concept into full production with the right strategic allies—those who prioritize quality, gameplay-first experiences, executional excellence, and a sustainable business model.”
