NetEase Shuts Down Bad Brain Game Studios After Just Two Years of Development

In the spring of 2023, offices of the newly established team, **Bad Brain Game Studios**, were launched in Toronto and Montreal, with financial backing from **NetEase Games** for the development of their debut project—a sprawling open-world action-adventure game currently titled **The Midnight Riders**. Unfortunately, just two years later, the team faced an unfortunate fate as **NetEase** decided to sever ties and shut down the studio on November 17.

The impending closure of **Bad Brain Game** was announced by the studio’s head, **Sean Crooks**. He noted that **NetEase** had provided the team with the opportunity to pitch their project to external investors, giving them a chance to turn things around. It’s worth mentioning that the **Bad Brain Game** group includes members who have previously worked on several well-known titles such as **Driver: San Francisco**, **Watch Dogs**, **Far Cry 2**, **Child of Light**, **Army of Two**, and **Splinter Cell: Conviction**, among others.

To attract potential partners, **Crooks** shared a video showcasing the current developments and gameplay. At the announcement, **The Midnight Riders** was described as a “paranormal action movie inspired by iconic films from the 80s.” The team chose Unreal Engine 5 as the engine for the game.

As it stands, **The Midnight Riders** is in a precarious position. If the team is unable to secure partners in a timely manner, the game is likely to be canceled. Presently, **Crooks**’ priority is to assist affected colleagues in finding new employment.

With a heavy heart, we announce the closure of **Bad Brain Game Studios**. Our final official working day is November 17.

Regrettably, the search for a new partner for our project has yet to yield results, despite all efforts. We are deeply grateful to **NetEase Games** for their support and for allowing us to explore every option. Our team poured everything they had into this game, consistently pushing creative and technical boundaries with enthusiasm, creativity, and skill. What we achieved together stands as a testament to the exceptional talent within the team.

The positive feedback our project received is a direct reflection of our creative approach and dedication. While the outcome may not be what we had hoped for, I have witnessed firsthand the ability to engage players and colleagues who believed in what we were creating. Thank you to everyone who supported the game, encouraged us, and shared our vision.

Currently, the game and its intellectual property remain available for acquisition or partnership, and we and **NetEase** are open to discussions with publishers or studios interested in continuing its development. We firmly believe in our project and hope it finds its audience.

To support our employees in the next phase of their careers, we are also sharing a video that highlights the team’s achievements. If you are in search of world-class developers, artists, and writers, please reach out to us—we would be delighted to connect you with them.

Lastly, I want to express my deepest gratitude once more to everyone who has supported us on this journey. Your faith in our creation has been invaluable. Although this chapter closes sooner than we had hoped, the spirit of what we built at **Bad Brain** will live on through the incredible individuals who made it possible.