Only Weeks After Microsoft Closed Offices and Studios It is Closing Several More (Many Layoffs, Still Deeply Debt-Saddled)

posted by Roy Schestowitz on May 07, 2024

It has only been 2 weeks since the last time. When the familiar news writes itself (mass layoffs at Microsoft again, closures too):

• Microsoft Layoffs 2024: What to Know About the Latest Bethesda Job Cuts | InvestorPlace

  The latest news notes that the Microsoft layoffs will see it close down Arkane Austin, Alpha Dog Studios, Roundhouse Games and Tango Gameworks. These layoffs come after Microsoft bought Bethesda three years ago to beef up its catalog of game developers.

• Xbox players blast Microsoft controller reveal after Bethesda studio closures - Dexerto

  On the same day that several Bethesda studio closures were announced, Xbox unveiled a new “Fire Vapor” controller with a reveal players say was in poor taste.

  The gaming industry’s unprecedented series of job cuts continued on May 7 when news that Microsoft would be shutting down several Bethesda Softworks studios made the rounds.

  Several studios were shuttered, namely Arcane Austin (Redfall), Tango Gameworks (Hi-Fi Rush), and Alpha Dog Games (Mighty Doom). Meanwhile, Roundhouse Games will merge with ZeniMax Online to help with Elder Scrolls Online’s ongoing development.

• Arkane Lyon’s Dinga Bakaba Criticises Microsoft Following News Of Multiple Studio Closures - PlayStation Universe

  Dinga Bakaba, the head of Arkane Lyon, has pulled no punches in his criticism of Microsoft’s decision to close a number of Bethesda-owned studios today, with Arkane Austin among the casualties.

• Microsoft closes Tango Gameworks, Arkane Austin, and more studios

  After a huge round of layoffs at Activision earlier this year, Microsoft has announced that it is closing Tango Gameworks, Arkane Austin, and more studios at Bethesda.

  As reported by IGN, Microsoft is closing a range of studios under Bethesda, including Tango Gameworks, the creators of Hi-Fi Rush, as well as Arkane Austin, the developers of Redfall.

• Microsoft Halts Redfall Development, Shuts Down Arkane Austin Amid Broader Bethesda Studio Closures

  Microsoft has announced the closure of several game development studios under its Bethesda Softworks umbrella, including Arkane Austin, the developer behind the vampire-themed shooter, Redfall. This move comes as part of a broader strategy to prioritize high-impact projects and streamline resources within the company.

• Microsoft closes Arkane Austin and Tango Gameworks, developers of Redfall and HiFi Rush, along with 2 more studios, in more cuts that have affected Bethesda | Ruetir - Ruetir

  In a surprising move, Microsoft has made the decision to close several Bethesda-owned studios, including well-known names like Arkane Austin, responsible for Redfall, and Tango Gameworks, developers of acclaimed titles such as Hi-Fi Rush and The Evil Within.

• Xbox Has Shut Down Tango Gameworks, Arkane Austin, and More

  Xbox has officially shut down Tango Gameworks, Arkane Austin, Alpha Dog Games, and Roundhouse Studios. The companies mentioned above were known for Hi-Fi Rush, The Evil Within, Ghostwire: Tokyo, Prey, Redfall, and more.

• Microsoft shuts down studios behind Hi-Fi Rush and Redfall

  MIcrosoft have today closed four studios across Bethesda including the developers of Redfall, Arkane Austin and the recent hit Hi-Fi Rush, Tango Gameworks.

• Microsoft closes several Xbox game studios including Arkane Austin, Tango Gameworks, and Alpha Dog

  Microsoft joins the downward trend of video game related layoffs as it shutters several gaming studios including Arkane Austin, Alpha Dog, and Tango Gameworks.

  According to a report from IGN.com, an internal email sent to employees from Xbox Game Studio head Matt Booty details the list of studios on the chopping block as well as other changes to come because of a “reprioritization of titles and resources.”

• “It's a stab,” Arkane boss criticizes Microsoft for closing Bethesda studios | Ruetir - Ruetir

  The day began with bad news for the industry in general and Bethesda fans. Microsoft and Xbox decided to close Tango Gameworks, Arkane Austin and Alpha Dog Games. In addition, they announced the absorption of Roundhouse Games and a round of layoffs that will affect various positions at Bethesda.

• Microsoft is closing down several gaming studios, including Tango Gameworks and Arkane Austin | GBAtemp.net - The Independent Video Game Community

  This action caused 4 well-known game studios to completely shut down, with said studios announcing the sad news today through their social media accounts. The known game studios that were hit by these changes and will close down are Tango Gameworks; known for games such as Hi-Fi Rush and The Evil Within, Arkane Austin; developers of Redfall, Alpha Dog Studios; developers of Wraithborne and MonstroCity: Rampage, and Roundhouse Games.

• Microsoft Closes Redfall Developer Arkane Austin, Hi-Fi Rush Developer Tango Gameworks, and More in Devastating Cuts at Bethesda - IGN

  Alpha Dog Games, maker of mobile game Mighty Doom, will also close. Roundhouse Studios will be absorbed by The Elder Scrolls Online developer ZeniMax Online Studios. Microsoft, currently valued at over $3 trillion, did not say how many staff will lose their jobs, but significant layoffs are inevitable. IGN has asked Bethesda for comment. Microsoft declined to expand further when contacted by IGN.

• Microsoft cuts jobs in gaming division, shuts multiple developers: Read Xbox Game Studio head’s email to staff

  Microsoft closes developers like Arkane Austin, Tango Gameworks, Alpha Dog Studios as part of a reprioritization move. Staff relocations and changes in studio alignments mark a strategic shift towards high-impact titles and new investments.

• Xbox Is Shutting Down Four Studios Including Arkane Austin And Tango Gameworks - GameSpot

  As shared by IGN, Xbox executive Matt Booty sent out a company-wide email detailing upcoming studio layoffs. "These changes are not a reflection of the creativity and skill of the talented individuals at these teams or the risks they took to try new things," said Booty in the email. "I acknowledge that these changes are also disruptive to the various support teams across ZeniMax and Bethesda that bring our games to market. We are making these tough decisions to create capacity to increase investment in other parts of our portfolio and focus on our priority games."

• Microsoft Announces New Bethesda Layoffs, Closes Four Studios, Including Redfall Dev Arkane Austin | MMORPG.com

  More painful cuts in the industry, as Microsoft is closing four studios it acquired when it bought Bethesda: Arkane Austin (which most recently released Redfall), Tango Gameworks, Alpha Dog Studios, and Roundhouse Games.

• Microsoft Announces New Bethesda Layoffs, Closes Four Studios, Including Redfall Dev Arkane Austin | MMORPG.com

  More painful cuts in the industry, as Microsoft is closing four studios it acquired when it bought Bethesda: Arkane Austin (which most recently released Redfall), Tango Gameworks, Alpha Dog Studios, and Roundhouse Games.

• Awful News As Microsoft Closes Several Bethesda Studios

  Well, yet again we have some extremely depressing news surrounding layoffs in the gaming industry, and with news that somehow hits even harder. Remember Hi-Fi Rush? You know, one of last year's most highly-acclaimed games that was nominated for several awards and surpassed three million players by the middle of the year? You know the studio behind it, Tango Gameworks, who put a ton of hard work into such a success and who we even selected as one of the year's best developers because of it? Well, as of today, they're no more. Microsoft has revealed that they are closing a number of Bethesda studios, which includes Tango Gameworks, who also gave us the Evil Within games and Ghostwire: Tokyo.

• Microsoft is shutting down Bethesda's Arkane Austin, Tango Gameworks, and Alpha Dog Studios - Neowin

  Microsoft is making additional and major cuts and layoffs in its gaming division. Today, IGN reported that in an email written by the company's Xbox Game Studios Matt Booty, the company has decided to either close or merge a number of game development studios under Bethesda Softworks.

• Microsoft Closes Multiple Bethesda Studios Including Arkane Austin, Tango Gameworks - PlayStation Universe

  In addition to the above, it has also been confirmed that Alpha Dog Studios is closing its doors, while ZeniMax Online Studios will assimilate Roundhouse Games.

• Xbox Shuts Down Arkane Austin, Tango Gameworks, and a Couple More Bethesda Softworks Studios

  Arkane Austin was essentially one and the same with Arkane Lyon up until Dishonored 2, which was the first game to be developed specifically by the French office. Austin then delivered Prey, which attracted controversy ahead of its release because it appropriated the name of the 2006 cult game by Human Head Studios and also forced a name change on an indie game. On the other hand, Prey was an absolutely fantastic game that received high critical praise upon release, albeit without a big commercial success (though that's always been a trademark of Arkane).

• Redfall and Hi-Fi Rush developers shut down in another awful wave of Microsoft cuts

  2024 continues its tragic track record of layoffs and studio shutdowns, with no less than four of Bethesda’s studios either closing or being absorbed according to an email sent out to staff by Xbox Game Studios head Matt Booty.

• Microsoft shuts down Arkane Austin, Tango Gameworks, more in big cuts - Niche Gamer

  A new email from Microsoft has confirmed the publisher is shutting down several internal game studios amidst massive cuts, after their recent layoffs post Activision-Blizzard acquisition.

  The company is shutting down Redfall developer Arkane Austin, HI-FI RUSH developer Tango Gameworks, and more in the latest wave of layoffs and studio closures.

• Xbox shuts slew of Bethesda studios, including Redfall, Hi-Fi Rush developers | Eurogamer.net

  Xbox has today announced stunning cuts and studio closures affecting a slew of development houses under the Bethesda banner.

  Redfall and Dishonored developer Arkane Austin will close, and its online co-op vampire shooter will not be updated further.

• I Feel Like Microsoft Hates Video Games

  How to Succeed in Games: Close Your Award-Winning Studios?