Arkane Studios has gained fame through its successful Dishonored series, as well as other notable titles such as Prey and Deathloop. However, their recent release, Redfall, the largest and most ambitious project in the company’s history, has faced significant criticism.
Both reviews and player opinions suggest that the game is underdeveloped and poorly executed. Consequently, fans have speculated that Microsoft’s acquisition of Bethesda and the subsequent layoffs are to blame.
Microsoft’s Lack of Involvement in Redfall’s Development
While it remains uncertain how the layoffs impacted Arkane, Windows Central journalist Jez Corden posits that Microsoft has no control over Bethesda. According to Corden, Bethesda and Arkane Studios are solely responsible for Redfall’s subpar quality.
No Bethesda-owned studio is directly controlled by Xbox Game Studios or Xbox, despite their ownership by the Redmond-based giant. They operate independently.
It is difficult to assess the exact influence of Microsoft’s acquisition on Arkane’s operations. However, internal sources suggest that the studio has faced challenges, with many of its veteran team members choosing to leave in recent months.
The impact of these departures on Arkane’s future projects remains to be seen in the coming months and years.
Struggles Faced by Other Studios
Arkane is not the only studio experiencing difficulties. 343 Industries, the developer behind the Halo series, has also encountered challenges, as has The Coalition, which is responsible for the Gears of War franchise.
In conclusion, while many fans have attributed Redfall’s lackluster performance to Microsoft’s acquisition of Bethesda, evidence suggests that Microsoft has not exerted direct control over Bethesda’s studios.
Instead, Arkane Studios and Bethesda are responsible for the game’s quality, with internal struggles and staff departures potentially contributing to its shortcomings. The future impact of these issues on the studios’ upcoming projects remains to be seen.
Feeling intrigued about Microsoft’s latest release, Redfall? Learn what it brings to the table as we delve into a comprehensive review of this much-awaited game, and discover if it managed to live up to the hype. Check out our in-depth review of Redfall here.
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