Microsoft has shut down Arkane Studios in Austin, which made games for the Xbox gaming console.
Arkane Studios laid off 96 people, according to a WARN notice filed with the state on May 7th. The studio created Prey, Deathloop, and Redfall, a first-person shooter video game released for the Xbox on May 2, 2023.
Arkane Studios was Austin, founded in 2006. In 2010 ZeniMax Media, the parent company of Bethesda Software, acquired Arkane Studios in 2010. Microsoft acquired ZeniMax Media in March 2021.
Microsoft did not release an official press statement on the layoffs. Windows Central obtained an email from a Microsoft executive stating, “Arkane Austin – This studio will close with some members of the team joining other studios to work on projects across Bethesda. Arkane Austin has a history of making impactful and innovative games and it is a pedigree that everyone should be proud of. Redfall’s previous update will be its last as we end all development on the game. The game and its servers will remain online for players to enjoy and we will provide make-good offers to players who purchased the Hero DLC.”
Microsoft also closed Alpha Dog Studios and Tango Gameworks.
Harvey Smith, studio director of Arkane Studios Austin, wrote on X, “I just want to say that I love al the people at Arkane Austin so much. Great times, hard times, we went through so much together. Of course, today’s news is terrible for all of us. Your talent will lift you up, and I will do anything I can to help.”