Microsoft and Xbox have announced the closure of four game studios, including Arkane Austin and Tango Gameworks, dealing a heavy blow to the gaming community. Notably, the cancellation of ongoing projects, such as updates for Redfall, has sparked concern among players.

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Arkane Austin, the studio behind Redfall, had plans for DLC and updates before the abrupt decision to cease development and close the studio. The canceled Hero Pass content, intended to introduce new characters to the vampire co-op shooter, was scheduled for release on Halloween. This move comes as a shock to employees, who were actively working on the game’s future content until very recently.

While Xbox Game Studios head Matt Booty attributed the cuts to a “reprioritization of titles and resources,” the decision raises questions about the future of Redfall’s online functionality. Concerns have been raised regarding the potential unplayability of the always-online game if Microsoft decides to shut down its servers.

Despite promises to address the always-online requirement, including plans for an offline mode, Redfall’s May update, which would have included offline playability, will never come to fruition. The game’s troubled history, marked by a disastrous launch and subsequent development struggles, has left players disappointed.

The closure of Arkane Austin and Tango Gameworks has drawn criticism from industry figures, with some expressing dismay over Microsoft’s handling of the situation. Executives have yet to publicly address the cuts, leaving employees and fans uncertain about the future of affected projects.