Microsoft plans to release the coming installment of the "Call of Duty" videogame to its subscription service, in a departure from its longtime practice of only selling the title independently, a source familiar with the matter said on Friday.
09.05.2024 - 13:29 / thesixthaxis.com / Phil Spencer / Matt Booty / Xbox Game Pass / Tango Gameworks / Aaron Greenberg
In one of the most double-think statements ever made outside of George Orwell’s 1984, Xbox Game Studios head Matt Booty has told employees that “We need smaller games that give us prestige and awards,” just one day after closing down the game studio that was responsible for the prestigious award-winning game, Hi-Fi Rush.
The statement was made during a town hall meeting for employees with Booty discussing the future goals for Xbox Game Studios, with those internal remarks then shared with The Verge.
It’s not currently clear how many computers were immediately doused in jets of coffee and tea from attendees, but let’s just say that some people were surprised to hear Booty say this considering that Microsoft has just shut down Japanese developer Tango Gameworks.
The studio released Hi-Fi Rush at the start of 2023 during an Xbox showcase, and went on to be a surprise hit. Blending together rhythm action mechanics with Bayonetta-esque combat, a chunky cel shaded art style and a great licensed soundtrack, it struck a chord with the community and picked up three million players within its first few months. It stuck in people’s memories come awards season as well, snagging several Game of the Year awards in various categories.
Microsoft was absolutely chuffed with the game through with Xbox marketing exec Aaron Greenberg tweeting that it “was a break out hit for us and our players in all key measurements and expectations.”
Sales figures have not been shared, and that player count was naturally heavily tied together with Xbox Game Pass, with Microsoft launching first party games day and date onto the game library service. However, it also comes with a budget price that should help with sales volume for non-subscribers.
Tango Gameworks were reportedly pitching a sequel to their higher ups prior to being shut down. A sticking point was apparently that they were requesting more resources to back the project, which Microsoft decided against. When informing staff of the closures of Tango Gameworks, Arkane Austin and Alpha Dog Studios, Booty said that closing these studios will “create capacity to increase investment in other parts of our portfolio and focus on our priority games.”
Speaking of priority games and franchises, someone nuked Phil Spencer’s base in Fallout 76.
Source: The Verge
Microsoft plans to release the coming installment of the "Call of Duty" videogame to its subscription service, in a departure from its longtime practice of only selling the title independently, a source familiar with the matter said on Friday.
Tango Gameworks will update Hi-Fi Rush one last time before Microsoft shuts the door on the studio. Microsoft announced earlier in May that it was closing three studios, including Hi-Fi Rush developer Tango Gameworks. Shortly after the news of the closures, Tango Gameworks confirmed the game will “remain available and playable everywhere” it's already accessible.
Soon to be closed Xbox studio Tango Gameworks has confirmed that a physical edition of Hi-Fi Rush is still being worked on.
This week, Microsoft and Bethesda announced that they would be closing down multiple game development studios under their umbrella. These include Alpha Dog Games, maker of Mighty Doom, and Arkane Austin, developer of the disastrous Redfall among others. In the gaming industry, the conventional wisdom has long been held that bad games sink you and great games save you, which would lead many to drawing an unfortunate line between Redfall’s reception and Arkane Austin’s closure — but immediately stops supporting that conclusion when you get to Tango Gameworks.
Xbox Game Studios head Matt Booty has reportedly said Microsoft needs smaller games that will earn it «prestige and awards» a day after shutting down Tango Gameworks.
Hi-Fi Rush fans are currently leaving tons of positive reviews on the game's Steam page, marking another community-driven instance of reverse-review bombing. The occurrence follows parent company Xbox's decision to shutter Hi-Fi Rush developer Tango Gameworks.
Xbox president Sarah Bond has indicated Microsoft will launch 2024’s Call of Duty game straight into Game Pass.
One day after closing Hi-Fi Rush developer Tango Gameworks, Xbox studios boss Matt Booty reportedly told staff the company needs “smaller games that give us prestige and awards”.
Helldivers 2 Director Johan Pilestedt wants gamers to decide when the next paid Warbond will arrive. Helldivers 2 has been the source of heated discussion in recent weeks, as it is at the center of Sony's controversial decision to have PC players link their accounts to the PlayStation Network. The wave of negative reception surrounding recent Helldivers 2 news has been a shock to many gamers because of just how popular Helldivers 2 has become in such a short time. Releasing in February 2024, Helldivers 2 is now Sony's 7th highest grossing game of all time.
It seems like five minutes ago that Xbox didn’t have the studios to maintain its first party offerings. Now they have the benefit of closing them down.
The video game industry has reacted with shock and anger after Microsoft shut down several game studios today, May 7, 2024 including Arkane Austin and Tango Gameworks, the developers of Redfall and Hi-Fi Rush respectively.
Microsoft's Xbox division has decided to shut down four Bethesda Softworks studios, the most prominent being Arkane Austin and Tango Gameworks.