NetEase Games launches T-Minus Zero Entertainment game studio headed by Rich Vogel

17.08.2023 - 12:01 / venturebeat.com / Rich Vogel / Netease Games

We're thrilled to announce the return of GamesBeat Summit Next, hosted in San Francisco this October, where we will explore the theme of «Playing the Edge.» Apply to speak  here  and learn more about sponsorship opportunities  here . 

NetEase Games, a global developer and publisher of video games, has established T-Minus Zero Entertainment, a new game studio in Austin, Texas, headed by game veteran Rich Vogel.

NetEase became one of China’s biggest companies and it has been expanding to the West. In an interview, Vogel said he wanted to make a modern game studio — the fourth one he has created — and he turned to NetEase because he didn’t want to be perpetually raising money.

The new studio will be entirely owned by by NetEase, and Vogel aims to make it into a world-class game company. It is working on an ambitious, third-person online multiplayer action game set in a sci-fi universe.

Vogel won the Up-and-Comer Award at our recent Visionary Awards event at the GamesBeat Summit 2023 in May. He is known for his significant contributions to the gaming industry, such as Ultima Online, Star Wars Galaxies, and Star Wars: The Old Republic. Vogel has also launched several successful studios, including Sony Online Entertainment Austin, Bioware Austin, and Bethesda Game Studios Austin. Vogel said he believes that previous studios he build are closing in on $3 billion in total lifetime revenue.

T-Minus Zero Entertainment’s primary focus will be on the development of an original intellectual property. The studio has adopted a remote-first approach, allowing for a flexible working environment. The team are actively seeking talented game developers who are passionate about taking on the challenge of building a new and immersive gaming experience.

“Our studio’s mission is to create epic, immersive worlds where players from around the globe can play together, forming vibrant and passionate communities,” said Vogel, head of the studio. “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.”

Vogel said the founding team met almost a couple of years ago to start something. Vogel served as a strategic adviser and he had been able to look at other studios who had focused on being first party studios, or those owned by one company and making games just for that company.

“Surviving in today’s world is hard,” Vogel said. “You’re always looking and chasing after that next round of funding versus making a great game. I wanted to focus on making a great game, versus the constant battle to get more funding. That’s why I chose to be a first party. And I had known NetEase for a