Microsoft has decided to close several internal studios owned by Bethesda Softworks. This was announced by the head of Xbox Game Studios Matt Booty in an email sent to employees. The reason is due to “new priorities regarding games and resources.”
The list of closed studios is as follows:
- Arkane Austin (Redfall, Deathloop, Dishonored series, Prey). Some employees will join other Bethesda studios. The previous expansion for Redfall will be the last.
- Tango Gameworks (Hi-Fi RUSH, Ghostwire: Tokyo, The Evil Within series). The studio will be closed, and Hi-Fi Rush will remain on the platforms on which it is available today – apparently, we should not expect a release on the Nintendo Switch.
- Alpha Dog Studios (Mighty DOOM). The studio will close and the Mighty DOOM game servers will be shut down on August 7th.
- Roundhouse Games (As Human Head Studios: Prey (2006), Rune series, BRINK, Defiance; assistance with The Elder Scrolls Online) – The team will join ZeniMax Online Studios, including work on The Elder Scrolls Online.
Recall that in September 2020, Microsoft announced the purchase of ZeniMax Media along with Bethesda Softworks and all internal studios. The deal was closed in March 2021, and the acquisition amount was $7.5 billion.
