Xbox Is Shutting Down Ghostwire Tokyo And Hi-Fi Rush Developer Tango Gameworks
07.05.2024 - 14:39
/ thegamer.com
/ Matt Booty
Xbox Game Studios head Matt Booty has announced the shutdown of Arkane Austin and Tango Gameworks amidst huge cuts at Bethesda.
"Today I'm sharing changes we are making to our Bethesda and ZeniMax teams. These changes are grounded in prioritising high-impact titles and further investing in Bethesda's portfolio of blockbuster games and beloved worlds" Booty said in an email to Microsoft staff (as reported by IGN). "Those whose roles will be impacted will be notified today [...] Bethesda remains one of the key pillars of Xbox with a strong portfolio of amazing games and thriving communities.
Xbox acquired Bethesda four years ago for a then-record-breaking $7.5 billion.
"As we look to the future, there is an impressive line-up of games on the horizon. In 2024 alone we have Starfield Shattered Space, Fallout 76 Skyline Valley, Indiana Jones and The Great Circle, and The Elder Scrolls Online's Golden Road.
"As we align our plans and resources to best set ourselves up for success in this complex and changing industry, our teams across Arkane Lyon, Bethesda Game Studios, id Software, MachineGames, ZeniMax Online Studios and the Bethesda publishing and corporate teams will be well-positioned to build new IP, explore new game concepts, and expand on our existing franchises."
In Booty's email, he announced that four studios across Bethesda are being closed.
Arkane Austin has been shut down with some members moved to other studios within Bethesda; Mighty Doom developer Alpha Dog Studios has also been closed down, with plans to sunset the mobile spin-off on August 7; after having just launched Hi-Fi Rush on Nintendo Switch and PS5, Tango Gameworks has been closed, and Roundhouse Games is being absorbed into ZeniMax Online Studios to work on The Elder Scrolls Online.
Resident Evil and The Evil Within creator Shinji Mikami only left Tango Gameworks last year.
It's unclear why each studio was shut down, though it's worth noting that last year, Bethesda Softworks senior vice president Todd Vaughn said that Hi-Fi Rush was "one of the most successful launches for Bethesda and Xbox in recent years" and "generated significant positive momentum for the business and Tango".
Microsoft is an American multinational conglomerate responsible for products such as Windows, Microsoft Office, Internet Explorer and Edge, and the Xbox series of home consoles.