Microsoft decides to close several game studios under Bethesda Softworks, including those behind Redfall, The Evil Within, and Ghostwire: Tokyo

Microsoft has announced that it will close

Microsoft shuts down Bethesda studios behind Redfall and Hi-Fi Rush - The Verge
https://www.theverge.com/24151047/xbox-shuts-down-arkane-austin-tango-gameworks-microsoft

Arkane Austin and Tango Gameworks have been shut down
https://www.engadget.com/arkane-austin-and-tango-gameworks-have-been-shut-down-183913558.html

Arkane Austin, which is closing down, has worked on games such as ' Redfall ' in the past. Tango Gameworks has developed games such as ' Ghostwire: Tokyo ' and ' The Evil Within ,' and Alpha Dog Studios has developed games such as ' Mighty Doom .'

Matt Booty, head of Xbox Game Studios, said the reason for the closure was 'a reprioritization of titles and resources.' Most of the staff at the game studios that were closed will be laid off, but it has been reported that some staff from Arkane Austin will be transferred to other teams at ZeniMax Media , the parent company of Bethesda Softworks.

According to Booty, Arkane Austin's 'Redfall' will cease development due to the studio's closure. However, Redfall's servers will remain online, and players who have purchased some of the downloadable content will be 'offered a good offer.'

Sign up here https://t.co/wb1R4m4emj to receive details on how eligible players can receive this credit. pic.twitter.com/69Os17kpQ8

— Arkane Studios (@ArkaneStudios) May 7, 2024

Tango Gameworks' ' Hi-Fi RUSH ' is also still available at the time of writing. Meanwhile, Alpha Dog Studios' 'Mighty Doom' will cease service on August 7, 2024. Prior to this, the in-game currency purchase function has been taken offline since the initial announcement of the studio's closure.

In addition to closing these game studios, Microsoft announced that Roundhouse Studios , a game studio that supports Redfall, will be absorbed into ZeniMax Online Studios, which develops The Elder Scrolls Online . In addition, Booty reports that 'some Bethesda Softworks publishing and corporate team employees will also be laid off.'

In response to the reports, Arkane Lyon co-creative director Dinga Bakaba called on game studio executives to 'cherish their artists and entertainers.'

This is absolutely terrible. Permission to be human: to any executive reading this, friendly reminder that video games are an entertainment/cultural industry, and your business as a corporation is to take care of your artists/entertainers and help them create value for you.

— Dinga Bakaba 451 (@DBakaba) May 7, 2024

'Please don't drag us into your money-making frenzy. Please don't use us to make up for your parent company's miscalculations and blind spots,' Bakaba said.

Don't throw us into gold fever gambits, don't use us as strawmen for miscalculations/blind spots, don't make our work environments darwinist jungles. You say we make you proud when we make a good game. Make us proud when times are tough. We know you can, we've seen it before.

— Dinga Bakaba 451 (@DBakaba) May 7, 2024

Booty urged remaining staff to 'treat your departing colleagues with respect and compassion.'