Microsoft Shuts Down Bethesda’s 4 Game Studios Including Arkane Austin and Tango Gameworks

Microsoft has announced the closure of game studios under the Bethesda/ZeniMax umbrella, totaling 4 studios:

– Arkane Austin, known for the unsuccessful game Redfall, will cease updates. Customers who purchased DLC in advance will receive compensation.
– Alpha Dog Studios, creator of the mobile game Mighty Doom, will shut down on August 7th.
– Despite notable works like Hi-Fi Rush, Tango Gameworks did not survive.
– Roundhouse Games, established in 2019 from the remnants of Human Head Studios, will close and merge with ZeniMax Online Studios (ZOS), responsible for The Elder Scrolls Online.

Microsoft explained that the closure of these studios is part of a new business focus on large-scale games, necessitating a reduction in team size and lay-offs.

Following the closure of these 4 studios, Bethesda will be left with 5 large game studios:

– Bethesda Game Studios (Fallout, The Elder Scrolls, Starfield)
– ZeniMax Online Studios (The Elder Scrolls Online)
– id Software (Quake, Doom)
– Arkane Studios Lyon (Dishonored, Deathloop)
– Machine Games (Wolfenstein)

Source: IGN

TLDR: Microsoft closes 4 game studios under Bethesda/ZeniMax due to a new focus on large-scale games, compensates DLC customers, and merges Roundhouse Games with ZeniMax Online Studios.