This is very sad news that we would like not to hear so often: Xbox is once again carrying out a massive wave of closures and layoffs…
After having significantly reduced the workforce of Activision Blizzard following its acquisition, Microsoft's gaming branch is now closing the doors of four new studios responsible for producing games exclusive to Xbox consoles. In any case, this is what IGN reported a few moments ago.
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Xbox plagued by carnage in its studios
Barely five days after news that the publisher of GTA 6 was making massive cuts to its workforce, another sad news of the same ilk has emerged. This time it concerns the giant Xbox, which is therefore closing the doors of no less than four studios. Namely Arkane Austin, Tango Gameworks, Roundhouse Studios and Alpha Dog.
As a reminder, Arkane Austin released Redfall last year which was a bloody failure to say the least. The game's servers should, however, remain open, according to the developers. Tango Gameworks, launched by Shinji Mikami, had a more successful track record. These include the excellent Hi-Fi RUSH, the remarkable The Evil Within franchise and the friendly Ghostwire: Tokyo. Roundhouse Games notably developed Prey in 2006. Alpha Dog was a studio focused on mobile games. This very sad news was announced internally via an e-mail, according to IGN.
Today I'm sharing the changes we're making to our Bethesda and ZeniMax teams. These changes are based on prioritizing high-impact titles and further investment in Bethesda's catalog of hit games and beloved worlds that you have nurtured for many decades. To double down on these franchises and invest in creating new ones, we need to look across the entire business to identify the opportunities best positioned for success. This reprioritization of titles and resources means that some teams will be realigned with others and that some of our colleagues will leave us.
Matt Booty, head of Xbox Game Studios, in the email announcing the closure of the four studios
Thus, Roundhouse Games will merge with ZeniMax Online (The Elder Scrolls Online). Xbox, however, definitively says goodbye to Arkane Austin, Tango Gameworks and Alpha Dog. All our thoughts naturally go to the talented people who have lost their jobs as a result. We wish them to bounce back quickly and find an opportunity that matches their skills…