- Arkane Austin has just been shut down.
- Arkane Lyon continues to work on Marvel’s Blade, but the studio’s boss has criticized Xbox for the decision.
- The studio head wants executives to be more considerate of developers during difficult times.
Arkane Austin has joined the list of studios that were completely shut down by Xbox after its acquisitions. While this team’s recent release, Redfall, was far from the greatest success, many have been surprised by the announcement.
This closure has equally surprised the head of Arkane Lyon. Following this upsetting reveal, the studio head took to Twitter, expressing his criticism of Xbox.
Why it matters: The developer serves as a voice for the larger gaming industry in this instance, helping to get the point across to gaming giants like Microsoft.
Dinga Bakaba did not shy away from admitting that Redfall was not a huge success. However, he asserted that publishers should support developers in difficult times since they are quick to celebrate big and successful releases.
He urges executives to treat their employees better, highlighting that gaming is still a medium of entertainment. The developer’s plea is made more impactful due to the current state of gaming, which seems to be stuck in a loop of constant layoffs and studio closures.
Addressing Arkane Austin, he pointed out that Microsoft’s decision has left Arkane Lyon safe for now, but it doesn’t make the closure of its partner studio any easier to accept.
Great teams are sunsetting before our eyes, and it’s a fu***ng gut stab.
-Dinga Bakaba
He also calls for people to give Arkane Austin employees time to deal with their loss. Unfortunately, Tango Gameworks is going through a similar fate after Xbox’s recent closures.
The Arkane Lyon boss has made several relevant points here. Whether it be EA, Sony, or Take-Two, the industry has been brutal to its talent in 2024. This will only harm gaming in the long run.
If developers continue to struggle with mental health, challenging working conditions, and the threat of impending layoffs, creativity will suffer. This is precisely what Dinga Bakaba intends to convey, hoping to convince executives to avoid repeating similar closures in the future.
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