Summary
Arkane founder Raphael Colantonio recently expressed dissatisfaction with Microsoft’s decision to closeArkane Austinearlier this year. While Arkane Austin only ever released two projects of its own, including the critically panned looter-shooterRedfall, Colantonio maintains that permanently closing the studio’s doors was “stupid” onMicrosoft’spart.
Microsoft made headlines back in May when itsimultaneously shut down four Bethesda studios, namely Arkane Austin, Tango Gameworks, Roundhouse Studios, and Alpha Dog Games. The closures of Arkane Austin and Tango Gameworks were especially hard-hitting, as both studios had just released new games in 2023. Where Tango’sHi-Fi Rushresonated extremely well with critics and fans, though, Arkane Austin’sRedfalldidn’t quite enjoy the same levels of success. Not only did it fall flat with reviewers,Redfallalso saw very underwhelming player counts throughout its lifespan.
Microsoft ultimately gave up onRedfallwhen it shuttered Arkane Austin, a decision that apparently didn’t sit right with Arkane founder Raphael Colantonio, who directed 2017’s critically-acclaimedPreyand is now leading WolfEye Studios. In a recentinterview with PC Gamer, Colantonio lamented the loss of Arkane Austin’s talent, stating that the studio was a “special group of people” that have created “cool” things in the past and could “pull it off again.” Colantonio also reckoned that Microsoft’s decision to close Arkane Austin could’ve been made in the interest of pleasing shareholders.
Arkane Founder Feels Arkane Austin Was a Creative Powerhouse
Regardless of the underlying reason, Colantino believes that killing off a talented team like Arkane Austin was “not a good decision” by Microsoft, to the point where he feels that replicating it is “impossible.” He specifically commended the creative “magic” ofRedfalldirector Harvey Smith andDishonoredlead designer Ricardo Bare, mentioning that it took “forever to reach” and that Microsoft should’ve given Arkane Austin another chance. Unlike therevival of Tango Gameworks and theHi-Fi RushIP, though, it seems Arkane Austin won’t be rising from the grave, at least for the foreseeable future.
The only thing that I stand by is saying that the specific choice of killing Arkane Austin, that was not a good decision. Recreating a very special group like that is, I would dare to say, impossible. It takes forever.
2024 has been exceptionally hard on the games industry with over 13,000 estimated layoffs so far, the most ever recorded in a single year. Studio closures are happening on a near-weekly basis, withSony shutteringConcorddeveloper Firewalk Studiosand Neon Koi just a few days ago. Despite the industry’s unpredictable climate, though, it’s extremely unfortunate to see Arkane Austin being relegated to the history books after just two projects. Thankfully, many of Arkane Austin’s talented developers have found work at Colantino’s WolfEye Studios, but there’s no telling when the layoffs and studio closures will ease off.
