Microsoft Just Pulled the Plug on Tango Gameworks and Arkane Austin, What’s Up?
- Why’d Microsoft Hit the Kill Switch on These Studios?
- Redfall’s Big L and the Update That Never Was
- Tango Gameworks: Hi-Fi Rush Deserved Better, Fam
- The Devs Speak Out: “This Ain’t It, Microsoft!”
- What’s Next for Xbox and Bethesda?
- Why Should You Care About This Shutdown Drama?
- Let’s Wrap This Up—What’s Your Take?
Yo, gamers! Buckle up, ‘cause we’ve got some spicy tea straight from the Xbox universe. Microsoft just dropped a bombshell by shutting down two badass Bethesda studios—Tango Gameworks and Arkane Austin—and trust me, the gaming world’s buzzing like a beehive on fire.
But wait, there’s more! They didn’t stop there—they also axed Alpha Dog Games (the crew behind Mighty Doom) and Roundhouse Games, leaving us all scratching our heads. Oh, and if you were hyped for that sweet Redfall update? Yeah, that’s canceled too. Grab your controllers and let’s dive into this wild mess—here’s everything you need to know about Microsoft’s latest studio shutdown drama!
Why’d Microsoft Hit the Kill Switch on These Studios?
Alright, let’s break it down. Microsoft’s been on a Bethesda binge since they scooped up ZeniMax Media for a cool $7.5 billion back in 2021. That deal brought a whole squad of studios under the Xbox umbrella, including Tango Gameworks (the geniuses behind Hi-Fi Rush and The Evil Within) and Arkane Austin (the folks who gave us Redfall and some killer Dishonored vibes).
of nowhere, they’ve decided to trim the fat—closing not just these two but also Alpha Dog Games and Roundhouse Games, with the latter getting folded into ZeniMax Online Studios. What’s the vibe here? Apparently, it’s all about “reprioritizing titles and resources,” according to Xbox bigwig Matt Booty and ZeniMax boss Jill Braff. Translation? They’re doubling down on the heavy hitters and ditching the rest.
But here’s where it gets juicy—word on the street is that Shinji Mikami, the legend who founded Tango Gameworks and basically invented survival horror with Resident Evil, might’ve played a part in this. Mikami bounced from Tango in 2023 to start his own gig, Kamuy Inc., and some say Microsoft saw that as a green light to pull the plug. Matt and Jill hinted to Xbox staff that Mikami’s exit left Tango vulnerable, like a boss fight without your main DPS. Still, closing a studio that dropped Hi-Fi Rush—a game Xbox literally called a “breakout hit”—feels like tossing out your rare loot for no reason. What’s the logic, Microsoft?
Redfall’s Big L and the Update That Never Was
Now, let’s talk Arkane Austin and Redfall. If you’ve been living under a rock, Redfall was supposed to be Xbox’s next big co-op vampire slayer, but it launched in 2023 like a glitchy mess—think broken AI, empty vibes, and a vibe so bad it got dubbed the “worst Xbox exclusive.” Ouch. Arkane tried to patch it up with a solid update later, but Microsoft’s like, “Nah, we’re done here.” That promised Redfall update with an offline mode and new DLC characters?
Dead in the water. Servers are still up for now, and they’re tossing some “make-good” offers to folks who bought the Hero DLC, but it’s a tough pill to swallow for fans who were holding out hope. Search “Redfall update canceled” and you’ll see the tears flowing—gamers ain’t happy.
Tango Gameworks: Hi-Fi Rush Deserved Better, Fam
Switching gears to Tango Gameworks—this one stings extra hard. These guys dropped Hi-Fi Rush in 2023, a rhythm-action banger that came out of nowhere and had us all vibing. Xbox hyped it up, with VP Aaron Greenberg calling it a “hit in all key measurements.” Awards, critical love, even a PS5 drop—it was living its best life. So why shut down the studio that made it?
John Johanas, the director behind Hi-Fi Rush, hit X with a gut-punch retweet: “So our work ends like this. Unfortunately, my language is unable to describe my situation. Thank you to those who have supported us over the years.” Man, you can feel the heartbreak. A studio that delivered gold getting the axe? That’s a plot twist nobody saw coming.
And get this—reports say Tango was pitching a Hi-Fi Rush sequel and looking to hire more talent before Microsoft yanked the cord. They weren’t just sitting around; they had plans! Closing them feels like canceling a season 2 right after a cliffhanger. If you’re yelling “Hey Google, why’d Microsoft kill Tango Gameworks?” at your speaker, you’re not alone—this move’s got the community shook.
The Devs Speak Out: “This Ain’t It, Microsoft!”
The fallout’s been loud, fam. Kyle Rowley from Remedy Studios (yeah, the Control and Alan Wake peeps) echoed Johanas’ vibes, retweeting the closure news with the same “So our work ends like this” line. Meanwhile, Dinga Bakaba, the director of Marvel’s Blade over at Arkane Lyon (which dodged the cuts), didn’t hold back. He called the closures “absolutely terrible” on X, dropping a truth bomb: “Video games are an entertainment and cultural industry, and your job is to support your artists, not axe them.” Preach! He’s begging execs to rethink this corporate shredder approach—without studios, we don’t get the games that make us proud to be gamers.
Even Shinji Mikami chimed in, and you know it’s serious when the OG weighs in. He called the shutdown “sad,” and you can bet he’s gutted seeing his baby, Tango, get wiped out. The dude thought cranking out more Hi-Fi Rush vibes would keep them safe, but nah—Microsoft had other plans.
What’s Next for Xbox and Bethesda?
So where does this leave us? Microsoft’s still got Bethesda heavyweights like Bethesda Game Studios (Starfield, Elder Scrolls), id Software (Doom), and MachineGames (Indiana Jones and the Great Circle), plus Arkane Lyon’s Marvel’s Blade in the works. They’re banking on these to carry the torch, but axing creative squads like Tango and Arkane Austin has folks worried. Is Xbox turning into a blockbuster-only zone, ditching the quirky, risky stuff that makes gaming special? Posts on X are raging—some fans are even calling for Xbox chief Phil Spencer to bounce after this.
And yo, this ain’t Microsoft’s first rodeo with cuts. They slashed 1,900 jobs from Xbox and Activision Blizzard earlier in 2024, and now this? The vibe’s getting grim. With a rumored Xbox handheld dropping between 2025-2027, maybe they’re saving cash for that, but sacrificing studios for it feels like trading your party members for a shiny new sword you might not even use.
Why Should You Care About This Shutdown Drama?
Look, this isn’t just about some studios biting the dust—it’s about what it means for us gamers. Tango Gameworks gave us Hi-Fi Rush, a fresh vibe in a sea of samey AAA titles. Arkane Austin had a legacy with Dishonored and Prey, even if Redfall flopped. Losing them means fewer risks, fewer surprises, and maybe a future where every game’s a safe, predictable cash grab. Search “Microsoft studio closures 2024” or “Why’d Xbox kill Tango?” and you’ll see the panic—gamers want variety, not just Call of Duty and Fallout clones.
Plus, it’s a gut punch for the devs. These folks poured their souls into games we love, and now they’re out in the cold. The industry’s already a rollercoaster—over 10,000 layoffs hit in 2023 alone, and 2024’s keeping the pace with closures left and right. Supporting artists isn’t just a feel-good line; it’s what keeps gaming alive.
Let’s Wrap This Up—What’s Your Take?
Microsoft’s shutdown of Tango Gameworks, Arkane Austin, Alpha Dog Games, and Roundhouse Games has left a crater in the Bethesda fam. Redfall updates are toast, Hi-Fi Rush dreams are dashed, and the vibes are off. Whether it’s Mikami’s exit, a “reprioritization” flex, or just cold corporate math, one thing’s clear: the gaming community’s not vibing with it. Hit up GGGAMER and drop your thoughts—did Microsoft fumble the bag, or is this just business? Let’s keep the convo rolling, fam!
