Marvel’s Blade, Deathloop Director Calls Microsoft’s Studio Closures “Absolutely Terrible”

Arkane Lyon director Dinga Bikaba has taken to Twitter to condemn the closure of Arkane Austin, Tango Gameworks, Roundhouse Studios and Alpha Dog Studios by Microsoft. Calling these events “absolutely terrible,” he implored gaming company executives to “make us proud when times are tough.”

“This is absolutely terrible. Permission to be human: to any executive reading this, a friendly reminder that video games are an entertainment/cultural industry, and your business as a corporation is to take care of your artists/entertainers and help them create value for you.

“Don’t throw us into gold fever gambits, don’t use us as strawmen for miscalculations/blind spots, don’t make our work environments Darwinist jungles. You say we make you proud when we make a good game. Make us proud when times are tough. We know you can, we saw it before. For now, great teams are sunsetting before our eyes again, and it’s a f*****g gut stab.”

While he assured Arkane Lyon was safe, Bakaba asked, “Please be tactful and discerning about all this, and respect affected folks’ voice and leave it room to be heard. It’s their story to tell, their feelings to express.” He also called out any talk of an “immersive sim curse,” stating, “Please, let’s talk about the *real* challenges instead of rehashing irrational anxieties of the past.”

Arkane Austin’s closure followed the controversial release of Redfall, a co-op shooter that strayed far from the studio’s history of immersive sims. It received mixed reviews, and sales were “minimal,” though Microsoft claimed there were no plans to shut the studio down. Though its last update was in November 2023, the development team were reportedly working on new updates, with its two new DLC characters planned for this Halloween before the closure.

Refunds will be available for those who purchased the Hero Pass or upgraded to the Bite Back Edition, so stay tuned for further updates. As for Arkane Lyon, its next project is Marvel’s Blade, which Bakaba is directing. It’s reportedly targeting a launch in 2027.

This is absolutely terrible. Permission to be human : to any executive reading this, friendly reminder that video games are an entertainment/cultural industry, and your business as a corporation is to take care of your artists/entertainers and help them create value for you.

— Dinga Bakaba 451 (@DBakaba) May 7, 2024

Don't throw us into gold fever gambits, don't use us as strawmen for miscalculations/blind spots, don't make our work environments darwinist jungles. You say we make you proud when we make a good game. Make us proud when times are tough. We know you can, we seen it before.

— Dinga Bakaba 451 (@DBakaba) May 7, 2024

For now, great teams are sunsetting before our eyes again, and it's a fucking gut stab. Lyon is safe, but please be tactful and discerning about all this, and respect affected folks' voice and leave it room to be heard, it's their story to tell, their feelings to express.

— Dinga Bakaba 451 (@DBakaba) May 7, 2024

Inside baseball, but if I read "immersive sim curse" from the community, especially from a fellow dev, I swear to God… Please, let's talk about the *real* challenges instead of rehashing irrational anxieties of the past.

— Dinga Bakaba 451 (@DBakaba) May 7, 2024

Even more inside baseball, but with a very, very wide range, as a wise and sorely missed man said:

"Please Stop."

— Dinga Bakaba 451 (@DBakaba) May 7, 2024