Whereas Arkane is definitely not useless, its division in Austin, Texas had been dissolved earlier this 12 months. The shutdown got here from higher-ups at Microsoft, and in an interview with PCGamer, the studio’s founder and former president known as the closure a “dumb transfer”.
Some could know Arkane Austin because the group behind the 2017 launch of Prey, a recreation that maintained relative obscurity regardless of reward from gamers and critics alike.
Others could know them because the builders of Redfall, one other comparatively obscure recreation—however this time, the obscurity comes with out caveat. Few loved it.
all 4 characters strolling down an empty avenue
Within the aftermath of those titles, Microsoft noticed match to close issues down. Arcane Austinand several other different studios closed their doorways because of instructions from above.
Raphael Colantonio is the founding father of Arkane Studios and served as its president for almost 20 years. Within the interview, he expressed his fondness for the Austin division and the individuals who labored there.
Colantonio may solely speculate as to why Arkane Austin was shut down however does have some sympathy for the place Microsoft was put in.
However whatever the purpose, Colantonio makes his stance on the difficulty clear. He flatly disagrees with the choice, with PCGamer quoting him as calling it a “dumb transfer”.
Cherished by Followers, Prey to Microsoft
prey promo artwork mimic attacking
Microsoft has just lately been criticized for closing varied smaller studios it had taken beneath its wing. Since Tango Gameworks, the builders behind Hello-Fi Rush, was amongst them, it is laborious to say that “poor high quality releases” are a major trigger.
Judging by Hello-Fi Rush’s therapy, even when Redfall was good, Microsoft could have closed issues down anyway.
Arkane Lyon stays within the trade, nevertheless it would not be shocking if the shutdown in Austin put the remaining employees in a state of unease.
Dangerous information could be simpler to swallow if an obvious purpose existed. However the closest we will get is “as a result of cash”—one thing equally nebulous and omnipresent. It looks as if the right components for an unsettling local weather.
