Hi-Fi Rush 2, potential new Dishonored game were reportedly being pitched by now-closed Xbox studios

Arkane Austin and Tango Gameworks were reportedly within the means of pitching sequels to 2 much-loved titles – particularly Hi-Fi Rush 2 and a potential new Dishonored game – when Microsoft made the shock choice to shut the studios, and extra Xbox cuts are mentioned to be on the way in which.

That’s according to Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier who, citing sources accustomed to the matter, says Arkane had been trying to return to its roots following the discharge of final yr’s critically panned multiplayer shooter Redfall, and had pitched a new single-player ‘immersive sim’ – “such as a new entry in the Dishonored series” – to Xbox executives.

Tango Gameworks, in the meantime, was additionally within the pitching course of, hoping to make a sequel to final yr’s critically acclaimed rhythm-action hit Hi-FI Rush – a game Microsoft beforehand referred to as “one of the most successful launches for Bethesda and Xbox in recent years”.

Inevitably, following Microsoft’s choice to close down each studios – a transfer that additionally noticed the closure of Mighty Doom developer Alpha Dog Games and the merging of Roundhouse Studios with ZeniMax Online – neither pitch will proceed. And the corporate’s justification for the closures stays obscure.

According to Schreier, Xbox president Matt Booty and head of ZeniMax studios Jill Braff addressed ZeniMax staff concerning this week’s closures in a townhall assembly earlier as we speak. Booty reportedly praised Hi-Fi Rush through the gathering, however didn’t specify why Microsoft had chosen to close Tango Gameworks down, and insisted Arkane Austin’s closure was unrelated to the poor essential and business efficiency of Redfall.

Instead, Booty reportedly mentioned ZeniMax’s studios were unfold too skinny like “peanut butter on bread”, and that management had made the choice to shut a few of them to unencumber sources elsewhere. Braff additionally recommended Arkane and Tango Gameworks’ requests for added workers as they start pitching new tasks was the “main factor” behind their closure, and expressed hope the reorganisation of ZeniMax would put extra give attention to fewer tasks.

“It’s hard to support nine studios all across the world with a lean central team with an ever-growing plate of things to do,” she added. “I think we were about to topple over”.

Bloomberg reviews the sudden closure of Arkane Austin, Tango Gameworks, Alpha Dog, and Roundhouse kinds a part of a widespread cost-cutting initiative at Xbox that also is not completed. According to individuals accustomed to Microsoft’s plans, the corporate has began providing voluntary severance agreements to producers, high quality assurance testers, and different ZeniMax staff, whereas “others across the Xbox organisation have been told that more cuts are on the way.”

This week’s ZeniMax studio closures comply with Microsoft’s choice to put off 1,900 Xbox staff earlier this yr. And whereas condemnation has been widespread – Arkane Lyon boss Dinga Bakaba publicly referred to as this week’s transfer a “fucking gut stab” – former Blizzard president Mike Ybarra has spoken out in assist of Xbox boss Phil Spencer, saying, “”I do know this hurts him as a lot as anybody else.”