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Bad Brain Game Studios To Close Nov. 17 With 'Midnight Riders' IP Offered for Acquisition

Leaders say a new partner never materialized despite months of runway from NetEase.

Overview

  • Studio head Sean Crooks announced the shutdown in a LinkedIn post, setting the last day of operations for November 17, 2025.
  • NetEase and the team state the game and its underlying intellectual property remain available for acquisition or partnership to continue development elsewhere.
  • A publicly released sizzle reel showcases the in-development project, which appears to be a 1980s‑styled action‑adventure.
  • Bad Brain, based in Montreal and established by NetEase in 2023, is encouraging publishers and employers to reach out about the project and its staff.
  • The company lists 11 to 50 employees and includes veterans such as former Ubisoft developers who worked on Watch Dogs: Legion.