Microsoft is closing four Bethesda Softworks studios, including Hifi fever developer Tango Gameworks and red fall Arkane Austin Team.
In an email to staff obtained by IGN, Xbox Game Studios head Matt Booty explained that this decision was “based on prioritizing high-impact titles and continuing to invest in Bethesda's portfolio of blockbuster games and beloved worlds.” . He described the move as part of a “re-prioritization of titles and resources” that will see “some teams realigned with others” and an unspecified number of staff losing their jobs.
The email also describes the full scope of the changes. In addition to the closure of Tango Gameworks and Arkane Austin, support studio Roundhouse Studios (which Booty apparently incorrectly calls “Roundhouse Games”) will join The Elder Scrolls online developer ZeniMax Online Studios. Alpha Dog Games (which Booty appears to mistakenly refer to as “Alpha Dog Studios”), the developer of the mobile title Powerful doom, will also be closed. This is in addition to the elimination of “a small number of functions” in the publishing arm of the company.
The news comes alongside the announcement that development in red fall has ceased and that players who purchased the game's premium 'Bite Back Edition' will be eligible to “receive the upgrade value” as compensation. This was detailed in a recent post on the official Redfall X/Twitter account that goes on to clarify that the “game servers will remain online for players to enjoy.”
Although the number of staff affected has not yet become apparent, we hope that everyone affected by these studio closures can recover. Neither Microsoft nor Bethesda have responded to a request for comment from TechRadar at this time.
Analysis: What is happening?
I'm really having a hard time understanding the reasoning behind this move, especially in regards to the closure of Tango Gameworks. The most recent title of the study, Hifi fever, was a critical success that seemed to resonate well with gamers. I gave the PlayStation 5 version of the game four out of five stars in our Hifi fever review, drawing particular attention to its incredibly unique rhythm-based combat system and impressive art direction.
Initially exclusive to the console, the game is now available on multiple platforms, but remains a true highlight of the Xbox catalog and definitely increases the appeal of a gaming subscription service like Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. The studio's older titles, such as Ghostwire: Tokyo and evil within 2 They may not have made as much of a splash when they were released, but they still stand out as high-quality experiences that paint the image of a team bursting with potential.
Arkane Austin's closure could be considered to make a little more sense given the overwhelmingly negative critical reception of its recent multiplayer vampire first-person shooter (FPS). red fall, although it still seems like an incredibly short-sighted decision. The studio's previous project, the sci-fi horror game. PreyIt's something of a hidden gem and shows the team's ability to seriously innovate.
I am concerned about the overall trajectory of the Xbox brand and the leadership culture at Microsoft. It seems like the people in charge don't really understand the value of more specialized degrees like these.
