Editing Bethesda Softworks (section)

== Microsoft closures ==
In May 2024, Microsoft announced that four Bethesda studios would be closed in relation to a major restructure to the publisher's operations. Arkane Austin ([[Prey (2017 video game)|''Prey'']], ''[[Redfall]]''), Tango Gameworks (''[[The Evil Within]]'', ''[[Ghostwire: Tokyo]]'', ''[[Hi-Fi Rush]]'') and Alpha Dog Games ([[Mighty Doom|''Mighty DOOM'']]) ceased activity entirely, while Roundhouse Studios was consolidated into [[ZeniMax Online Studios]].<ref name=":1" /> Xbox's Game Content and Studios manager Matt Booty explained that the closure of the aforementioned teams was due to an internal shift in focus towards other areas in Bethesda and Microsoft's portfolio, including more "priority games".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Writer |first=Connor Makar Staff |date=2024-05-07 |title=Microsoft to shut down Arkane Austin, Tango Gameworks, and more due to a "reprioritization of titles and resources" |url=https://www.vg247.com/microsoft-shut-down-tango-game-works-arkane-austin-more |access-date=2024-05-08 |website=VG247 |language=en}}</ref> The closure of the studios drew significantly negative reactions, with particular fan ire directed towards the sudden shuttering of Tango Gameworks a year following ''Hi-Fi Rush''{{'}}s launch and positive critical reception, as well as its proximity to the game's launch on [[PlayStation 5]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Xbox |first=Pure |date=2024-05-07 |title=Xbox Fans React Angrily To Closure Of Bethesda's Tango Gameworks |url=https://www.purexbox.com/news/2024/05/xbox-fans-react-angrily-to-closure-of-bethesdas-tango-gameworks |access-date=2024-05-08 |website=Pure Xbox |language=en-GB}}</ref> Fans additionally cited the hypocrisy present in past statements by Microsoft Gaming executives, namely an older tweet by Xbox marketing head Aaron Greenberg insinuating ''Hi-Fi Rush'' was a success in "all key measurements and expectations", as well as an older anecdote from the web documentary ''Power On: The Story of Xbox'' (2021), in which both Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer and president of Xbox [[Sarah Bond (executive)|Sarah Bond]] reflected on the closure of former [[Fable (2004 video game)|''Fable'']] developer [[Lionhead Studios]] in 2016, implying they were learning from their mismanagement of the studio.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McCaffrey |first=Ryan |date=2024-05-09 |title=Phil Spencer and the Battle for Xbox's Soul |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/phil-spencer-and-the-battle-for-xboxs-soul |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref> Users on [[Steam (service)|Steam]] also [[review bomb]]ed ''Hi-Fi Rush'' with positive reception in support and gratitude towards Tango Gameworks following the announcement.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Yin-Poole |first=Wesley |date=2024-05-10 |title=Steam Users Are Positively Review-Bombing Hi-Fi Rush Now Microsoft Has Closed Tango Gameworks |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/steam-users-are-positively-review-bombing-hi-fi-rush-now-microsoft-has-closed-tango-gameworks |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref> 

The closures of Tango and Arkane Austin similarly drew widespread backlash across the games industry. Dinga Bakaba, studio director at Arkane's Lyon team at Bethesda, lambasted the closures as a "fucking gut stab", and went on to liken Microsoft's actions and address of the situation towards being used as "strawmen for miscalculations/blind spots" in addition to producing work environments comparable to "[[darwinist]] jungles."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-07 |title='A f***ing gut stab': Arkane boss criticises Microsoft execs for studio closures |url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/a-fing-gut-stab-arkane-boss-criticises-microsoft-execs-for-studio-closures/ |access-date=2024-05-08 |website=VGC |language=en-GB}}</ref> Former [[Bethesda Game Studios]] designer and Something Wicked Games CEO Jeff Gardiner observed a game development climate where "the people who made the games [that] have to suffer, not the people who simply made money off the games." David Goldfarb, studio creative director and founder of ''[[Metal: Hellsinger]]'' (2022) developer The Outsiders, expressed disillusionment towards the affected teams losing their creative autonomy.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-07 |title='A Fucking Gut Stab': Game Industry Reacts To Shocking New Studio Closures |url=https://kotaku.com/microsoft-xbox-arkane-evil-within-3-prey-2-layoffs-1851461099 |access-date=2024-05-08 |website=Kotaku |language=en}}</ref> Former [[PlayStation]] executive and [[Iron Galaxy]] co-CEO [[Adam Boyes (entrepreneur)|Adam Boyes]] posted an image on his [[Twitter]] page that noted the irony of these closures occurring just as Microsoft posted a 17% increase in revenue over the third quarter of its 2024 fiscal year.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-05-07 |title=Arkane Lyon boss leads widespread condemnation of Bethesda closures |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/arkane-lyon-boss-leads-widespread-condemnation-of-bethesda-closures |access-date=2024-05-08 |work=Eurogamer.net |language=en}}</ref> An [[IGN]] article chronicling the reactions to the Xbox business' current controversies cited two former employees of the company with anonymity; one recalled having conversations with multiple key alumni from the [[Xbox (console)|original Xbox]] team that all concluded "It's no longer Xbox, but ''Microsoft Gaming''". The second source likened the situation to "an [[anaconda]] trying to ingest an [[elephant]]", additionally criticizing Microsoft for their inability to quickly integrate Bethesda into their overall strategy before moving to acquire [[Activision Blizzard]], a publisher roughly "three times the size" of Microsoft's Xbox division.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Square |first=Push |date=2024-05-10 |title=Founders, Long-Time Employees Reportedly Say Xbox Now Effectively Microsoft Gaming |url=https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2024/05/founders-long-time-employees-reportedly-say-xbox-now-effectively-microsoft-gaming |access-date=2024-05-11 |website=Push Square |language=en-GB}}</ref> Original Xbox team head [[Seamus Blackley]] sent his wishes to the developers let go by Microsoft, remarking on how "scary" it is to pursue creative ideas in game design, while also stating his awareness towards "the stench of money-guy decision making" and its ability to impede on development teams and their aspirations. He also exclaimed his belief in the Xbox team and that he was confident "this isn't the end of the story."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Xbox |first=Pure |date=2024-05-10 |title=OG Xbox Creator: I Believe In Xbox, Despite This Week's 'Tragic' Job Losses |url=https://www.purexbox.com/news/2024/05/og-xbox-creator-i-believe-in-xbox-despite-this-weeks-tragic-job-losses |access-date=2024-05-11 |website=Pure Xbox |language=en-GB}}</ref>

In August 2024, [[Krafton]] announced it had acquired Tango and the ''Hi-Fi Rush'' IP from Microsoft and Bethesda, with plans to "continue developing the Hi-Fi RUSH IP and explore future projects."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-08-12 |title=KRAFTON Strengthens Global Presence Through Strategic Integration of Tango Gameworks and Hi-Fi RUSH IP {{!}} KRAFTON |url=https://krafton.com/en/news/press/krafton-strengthens-global-presence-through-strategic-integration-of-tango-gameworks-and-hi-fi-rush-ip/ |access-date=2024-08-12 |website=krafton.com |language=en-US}}</ref> In a statement attributed to news outlet Windows Central, a Microsoft spokesperson said "We're working with Krafton to enable the team at Tango Gameworks to continue to build games together and we look forward to playing their next great game. There will be no impact to the existing catalog of Tango games."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Corden |first=Jez |date=2024-08-11 |title=Former Xbox studio Tango Gameworks and 'Hi-Fi Rush' have been acquired by PUBG's Krafton Inc, saving it from closure |url=https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/former-xbox-studio-tango-gameworks-and-hi-fi-rush-has-been-acquired-by-pubgs-krafton-inc-saving-it-from-closure |access-date=2025-04-08 |website=Windows Central |language=en-GB}}</ref>