The gaming industry has been in shock for the past couple of days since Microsoft announced the closure of the developers of Hi-Fi Rush and Redfall, Tango Gameworks and Arkane Austin. They also got rid of the Canadian studio, Alpha Dog Games and Roundhouse Studios got absorbed by the Elder Scrolls Online team, ZeniMax Online Studios. After so much that has transpired in 24 hours, it seems they aren’t done yet, and more closures could be in store.
According to a report by Bloomberg (via Insider Gaming), Xbox is currently working behind the scenes. Firstly, they are in conversation with ZeniMax Employees are trying to buy them out by offering ‘voluntary severance agreements’ and letting them go from the company. At the moment the employees that are being targeted are QA testers and producers. It was revealed earlier that these layoffs are a result of “reprioritisation of titles and resources”.
More Xbox layoffs expected
That is not all, as sources revealed to Bloomberg that “more cuts” were on the way. At the moment it is unclear which of the other studios could be subject to closure, however, the tensions are high at the moment. The changes were made to focus on “high-impact titles and further investing in Bethesda’s portfolio of games”. Through this consolidation, they feel they can “invest more deeply” into their portfolio and new IP.
At the moment the projects that are under Xbox’s banner for 2024 include the following Starfield Shattered Space, Fallout 76 Skyline Valley, Indiana Jones and The Great Circle, and The Elder Scrolls Online’s Golden Road.
