Xbox has announced the closure of four Bethesda Softworks studios, including Arkane Austin, Alpha Dog Studios, and Tango Gameworks. The team at Roundhouse Games will be shifted to work on “The Elder Scrolls Online” game under ZeniMax Online Studios.
The restructuring was announced by Xbox Game Studios chief Matt Booty in a memo to staff. The closures are part of a strategy to prioritize high-impact titles and further invest in Bethesda’s portfolio of blockbuster games. The decision was made to create capacity to increase investment in other parts of the portfolio and focus on priority games.
The closure of these studios will affect some employees, who will be shifted to other remaining game studios at Microsoft. The changes come after Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard and amid multiple layoffs across the gaming industry.
Despite the closures, Bethesda remains a key pillar of Xbox with a strong portfolio of games and thriving communities. The future looks promising with an impressive lineup of games on the horizon for 2024, including ‘Starfield Shattered Space,’ ‘Fallout 76 Skyline Valley,’ ‘Indiana Jones and The Great Circle,’ and ‘The Elder Scrolls Online’s Golden Road.’
Read more: variety.com