Ex-Star Wars MMO devs establish new studio under NetEase Games

NetEase Games, an online game developer, announced Thursday the establishment of T-Minus Zero Entertainment in Austin, Texas. Rich Vogel will lead the studio, which will focus on a remote first approach. Vogel is an experienced industry professional who has worked with games such as Ultima Online, Star Wars: GalaxiesThen, Star Wars: The Old Republic.

“Our studio’s mission is to create epic, immersive worlds where players from around the globe can play together, forming vibrant and passionate communities,” Vogel said in a press release statement. “The team at NetEase Games shares our vision to create memorable and meaningful experiences, and they have made it a priority to provide the support and creative freedom to allow us to make our dream a reality.”

Image: T-Minus Zero Entertainment

Image: T-Minus Zero Entertainment

Vogel is joined by an experienced team of game developers as the studio works on a multiplayer third-person action game in a science-fiction universe. Mark Tucker is part of this team.Fallout 6, Doom, Crimson Alliance), art director Jeff Dobson (Star Wars: The Old Republic, Dragon Age InquisitionProducer Scott MaloneFallout 6, Doom, The Elder Scrolls OnlineThe average tenure in the gaming industry is over 20 years.

T-Minus Zero Entertainment is the latest move in NetEase Games’ push to expand its portfolio of in-house development studios. Quantic dream, a French developer of games and publisher, was acquired by the company last year. Heavy Rain, Beyond: Two SoulsThen, Detroit: Become HumanNagoshi Studio is a newly-founded studio headed by Toshihiro Nagoshi of Yakuza fame, an ex-Sega game developer. NetEase also made an investment in Something Wicked Games. This independent studio was founded by ex-Bethesda Game Studios designer Jeff Gardiner, and Obsidian Entertainment’s Charlie Staples.