Microsoft bought ZeniMax Media and Bethesda for $7.5 billion in 2020. Thanks to this, Xbox got very important franchises and very talented studios joined their ranks. Unfortunately and to everyone's surprise, the companies decided to close some of Bethesda's best teams.
This morning, it was confirmed that Microsoft and Xbox closed Tango Gameworks and Arkane Austin, studios of Hi-Fi RUSH and Redfall. If that wasn't enough, Alpha Dog Studios will also close its doors and Roundhouse Games will be absorbed. In total there are 4 studios that were affected. In addition, a round of layoffs was announced, what happened?
Why did Microsoft and Xbox close several Bethesda studios?
Through an internal statement, Matt Booty, director of Xbox Game Studios, explained that the closure of studios is due to a review process to prioritize resources and the development of certain games, defined as high impact.
The executive assured that there was a complete analysis of the business to identify areas of opportunity. Unfortunately, this will result in the closure of multiple studios. Arkane Austin, studio of Dishonored, Prey, Redfall, will close completely and some of its creatives will join other Bethesda projects.
Tango Gameworks, Japanese studio creator of The Evil Within and Hi-Fi RUSH, will meet the same fate. Alpha Dog Studios, in charge of Mighty DOOM, also have their days numbered along with their game and will not continue their operations.
Finally, Roundhouse Games will be absorbed by ZeniMax Online Studios. This means that its members will now be dedicated to working on The Elder Scrolls Online. On the other hand, the executive confirmed a round of layoffs that will affect editorial and corporate positions at Bethesda.
"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. 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," said the executive.
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