Microsoft is shuttering four Bethesda studios, including Arkane Austin and Tango Gameworks, ending all development on Redfall

What just happened? It seems that making popular and successful games is no guarantee that a company will be safe. Microsoft has just announced the closure of four Bethesda studios as it looks to prioritize "high-impact titles." Arkane Austin (Prey), Tango Gameworks (Hi-Fi Rush), Alpha Dog Games, and Roundhouse Games are all being shuttered.

Arkane Studios has put out some excellent games in the past, including Dishonored, Prey, and Deathloop. Prey was developed by Arkane Austin, the Texas-based arm of the French video game developer, as was the much-maligned Redfall. It's the Austin studio that Microsoft is closing, with development of Marvel's Blade being passed on to Arkane Lyon.

Closing Arkane Austin means development on Redfall has now ended. The vampire co-op title will not receive its previously promised updates or new character DLC. The game and its servers will remain online, and Microsoft will provide a "make-good ...