Several NetEase overseas studios are closing.

NetEase Games' overseas studio Fantastic Pixel Castle announced that it will be closing. This shutdown is believed to be related to NetEase's recent reduction in international business investments. FPC was founded by former World of Warcraft and League of Legends designer Greg Street in 2023, with plans to develop a modern fantasy MMORPG under the codename "Ghost". Street announced on Monday local time, "Fantastic Pixel Castle will be closing on November 17th. Although there may still be opportunities for funding after that, it depends on how many team members we can retain." He also mentioned, "While we would love to continue working on this game, our primary focus right now is helping developers find new jobs, whether it be in a potential independent team 'Fantastic Pixel Castle 2.0', or in other reputable and stable game or tech companies." A few weeks ago, Street revealed that NetEase had ended its partnership with FPC and was assisting the studio in finding a new publisher for its game. In September of this year, MMO veteran developer Rich Vogel confirmed that his studio T-Minus Zero Entertainment had been closed by NetEase. In January earlier this year, NetEase confirmed the end of partnerships with two North American studios: Worlds Untold in Vancouver, founded by Mass Effect writer Mac Walters in 2023; and Jar of Sparks in Seattle, founded by former Xbox designer Jerry Hook in 2022. Additionally, Ouka Studio, based in Tokyo and involved in the development of Trials of Mana, was also closed last year.