TLDR
- The closure of Tango Gameworks and Arkane Austin is supposed to have only been the first part of larger cutbacks at Xbox.
- Bethesda owner ZeniMax has reportedly begun offering voluntary severance packages to several employees.
- ZeniMax will focus on fewer projects at a time going forward, having recognized the challenges of supporting nine studios globally.
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Uka’s closures of Tango Gameworks and Arkane Austin were supposedly just the first step in major cost-cutting at Xbox. Further cutbacks are on the way, reports Bloomberg on Wednesday evening.
Sources with knowledge of the situation say that Xbox has started to offer final packages to several at Bethesda owner ZeniMax. For the time being, it will be a voluntary scheme, available to manufacturers, testers and other employees.
During a general meeting on Wednesday, Xbox boss Matt Booty is said to have explained that the company had overlooked too much. It simply became too much for management to keep track of, and therefore Xbox felt it was necessary to close down studios and shift resources to other things.
During the meeting, ZeniMax CEO Jill Braff said that in future the company will concentrate on fewer projects at a time.
– It is difficult to support nine studios across the globe with a central team that was constantly given more and more to do. I think we were about to collapse, Braff said.
Bloomberg adds that both Tango and Arkane Austin should have been gearing up for new projects when they were shut down. The former was reportedly tinkering with plans for a Hi-Fi Rush 2, while Arkane had – after last year’s Redfall fad – wanted to return to making Dishonored-like games.
READ ALSO: Developers reach out to Xbox after studio closures »
