Studio shutdowns and budget cuts in the video game industry have been recurring in recent months. Now it seems Microsoft is adding more to the final list. According to an email to staff sent by Matt Booty, head of Xbox Game Studios, Microsoft is using the "reprioritization of titles and resources" to shut down some of the most popular teams at Bethesda Studios. Cut-off also sees changes to the ZeniMax Studios team.
XBOX SUCKS!! Microsoft is shutting down the best Bethesda Studios!! Tango and Arcade DEAD!!
The closed studios from these teams include the Arkane Austin team, which made Redfall ( review ), and Tango Gameworks, makers behind Hi-Fi Rush, Ghostwire Tokyo and The Evil Within.
Along with these major developers, Microsoft has also shut down Alpha Dog Studios, the developer of the Mighty Doom mobile game. Additionally, Roundhouse Games, the main contributor to The Elder Scrolls Online games, will merge with Zenimax Studios.
This also means that Redfall will no longer receive the promised updates. Although Microsoft has shut down all operations for the poor vampire co-op game, servers will remain online for players to enjoy. Additionally, Microsoft has also said that the Hero DLC buyers will get a "make-good" offer.
