Video Games
Microsoft Closes ‘Redfall’ Developer Arkane Austin, ‘The Evil Within’ Developer Tango Gameworks
Bethesada announced today huge cuts to Bethesda’s collection of studios. That includes Redfall developer Arkane Austin, as well as The Evil Within and Ghostwire: Tokyo developer Tango Gameworks. Per IGN, the beleaguered Redfall will have its development ceased, thereby not receiving its promised updates, including an offline mode and new character DLC. Redfall will remain online to play, and Microsoft will provide a “make-good” offer for those who bought the Hero DLC.
The other Arkane studio, Arkane Lyon, which is currently working on Marvel’s Blade, survived the cuts, as did Machine Games, which is currently working on Indiana Jones and The Great Circle. Bethesda Game Studios (Fallout, The Elder Scrolls, Starfield) also survived the cuts. DOOM developer id Software was unaffected.
According to IGN, an email to staff sent by Matt Booty, head of Xbox Game Studios, had Microsoft blame the cuts on a “reprioritization of titles and resources”.
“These changes are not a reflection of the creativity and skill of the talented individuals at these teams or the risks they took to try new things,” stated Booty. “I acknowledge that these changes are also disruptive to the various support teams across ZeniMax and Bethesda that bring our games to market. We are making these tough decisions to create capacity to increase investment in other parts of our portfolio and focus on our priority games.”
The news leaves The Evil Within and Ghostwire: Tokyo franchises in limbo, despite rumours of sequels for both. Tango Gameworks’ closure comes just over a year after its founder, Shinji Mikami, left the studio. Mikami has since founded a new studio, Kamuy.
— Tango Gameworks (EN) (@TangoGameworks) May 7, 2024
Video Games
Limited-Time Crossover Event for ‘Resident Evil Survival Unit’ With ‘Monster Hunter’ Announced [Teaser]
If you haven’t yet checked out Aniplex Inc. and JOYCITY Corporation’s Resident Evil Survival Unit, the free-to-play real-time strategy game has just announced a new collaboration with another Capcom property in Monster Hunter to entice prospective players. Kicking off on July 2 and running until July 29, the limited-time collaboration will introduce Monster Hunter–inspired elements into the post-apocalyptic world of Resident Evil Survival Unit, adding large-scale monster encounters to the game’s strategic systems.
Details on the collaboration are being kept under wraps for now, but during the event, players will be able to participate in collaboration-exclusive in-game events that will earn them special rewards inspired by the Monster Hunter series. We do get a brief teaser trailer for the upcoming event, which in addition to teasing various monsters for players to battle, also promises new units for players to recruit.
Set in a parallel world inspired by the Resident Evil universe, the game features an original storyline and real-time strategic gameplay designed for mobile platforms. Players will build bases, secure resources, and battle creatures in a collapsed city. Iconic characters such as Leon S. Kennedy, Claire Redfield, and Jill Valentine appear throughout the game, allowing for team formations that bring together characters from across the Resident Evil franchise, enabling unique combinations not seen in the original titles.
Resident Evil Survival Unit is available on iOS and Android devices.