Redfall: What Xbox’s commitment to Arkane Studios means for gaming

The recent release of Redfall, developed by Arkane Studios, received a lukewarm response from both critics and the commercial market. However, amidst speculation about the future of Arkane, Xbox Game Studios Chief, Matt Booty, has confirmed that there are no immediate plans to shutter the studio. In this article, we will explore the implications of Xbox’s decision to support Arkane despite the underwhelming reception of Redfall and analyze its impact on the games industry.

Speaking to Axios, Matt Booty affirmed that Arkane would remain operational, expressing the intention to assist the studio in realizing their original vision for Redfall. He acknowledged that the team is diligently working on updates and additional content for the game, emphasizing the importance of continued support.

At a recent post-Xbox Game Showcase media event, Booty notably omitted Redfall when discussing Microsoft’s improved performance in first-party game releases. This omission raised questions about the studio’s future. However, it is crucial to note that Redfall was a pre-existing project that did not receive the same level of focus from Microsoft as other games developed under their ownership.

Xbox head Phil Spencer previously acknowledged the need for improvement in engaging with studios that have ongoing projects at the time of acquisition. He personally apologized for the lack of support provided to Arkane Austin, stating that Microsoft could have better utilized their internal resources to aid the development process. This admission highlights the company’s commitment to learning from their past mistakes and ensuring a smoother transition for future projects.

While acknowledging Redfall’s shortcomings, Booty emphasized that the game is receiving positive engagement on Xbox Game Pass. This suggests that although the critical and commercial reception may not have been ideal, the game is finding an audience within the Xbox ecosystem.