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
Definitive Edition of Throwback Survival Horror Game ‘Doctor Viscera’ Launches June 23 [Trailer]
For those who enjoy their survival horror gaming with a side of old-school cheese, you have Liminal Road’s Doctor Viscera. Released last October on Steam, the game is set to receive its Definitive Edition next week on June 23rd, with plans for a release on consoles to be shared soon. The Doctor Viscera: Definitive Edition will include a variety of improvements, adjustments, and new content designed to make the experience even more intense. All of this content will be available free to existing owners.
For those not in the know, Doctor Viscera is a throwback survival horror title with PSX-inspired visuals, where you must escape the abandoned GrimmHaus Asylum. You must explore the asylum’s various rooms, find useful items, and solve puzzles to unlock new areas and discover escape routes. At the same time, you’ll need to be on the lookout for the Doctor and his grotesque experiments.
The biggest addition to the Definitive Edition is the Nurse, a brand-new enemy who will actively pursue players throughout the campaign. Although slower than the eponymous doctor, the nurse introduces a completely different gameplay dynamic by using ranged attacks with a firearm, forcing players to rethink their routes, strategies, and survival tactics.
Under certain circumstances, you can disarm the Nurse, creating entirely new situations and possibilities within the game.
Doctor Viscera: Definitive Edition also introduces a new area to the map, featuring a tram system. In addition to serving as a new exploration route, it can also be used to quickly escape pursuers and travel between different sections of the asylum.
The update also brings improvements across multiple aspects of the experience, including:
- Level design changes
- Puzzle redesigns
- Performance optimizations
- New immersive audio system
- Controller support
- New menu interfaces
If you’re looking to check out the game before buying it, you can check out the demo that’s also available on Steam.