Xbox shuts down Hi-Fi Rush developer Tango Gameworks and Redfall studio Arkane Austin | The Midweek Memo #017

Hello, Hello 👋

Unfortunately, we’re back to our regularly scheduled programming, as Take-Two has decided to make significant cuts at Private Division, with Intercept Games and Roll7 reportedly closing completely.

Xbox has also announced the closure of Arkane Austin, Tango Gameworks, Alpha Dog, and Roundhouse just three years after acquiring parent company ZeniMax.

That’s not even the end of the negativity, as Paladin Studios is closing after nearly 19 years of operations, citing a lack of co-development work in recent months.

Away from the bleakness of layoffs and shutdowns, Nintendo has at least confirmed that we will learn more about its next console by March 2025.

And finally, in response to backlash from the Helldivers 2 community, PlayStation has reversed its short-lived plans to force all players to use PlayStation Network accounts.

Hot Jobs 🔥

This week's list includes roles from around the world in various sectors:

[1] Senior Engineer (Engine Modernization) | Age of Empires
🏢 CaptureAge 🗺️ Remote Anywhere 📄 Full Time 🎚️ 5+ years exp

[2] Senior Test Manager
🏢 Experis Game Solutions 🇺🇸 Tempe, AZ 📄 Full Time 🎚️ 5+ years exp

[3] Graphic Designer
🏢 Infernozilla 🗺️ Remote Anywhere 📄 Full Time 🎚️ 1+ year exp

[4] Associate Video Game Tester
🏢 PTW 🇨🇦 Montréal, QC 📄 Contract 🎚️ 0+ years exp

[5] Technical Designer
🏢 Ripple Effect 🇨🇦 Remote Canada 📄 Full Time 🎚️ 1+ year exp

[6] Software Developer (Apprenticeship 2024)
🏢 Ubisoft 🇬🇧 Newcastle upon Tyne 📄 Internship 🎚️ 0+ years exp

[7] Social Media Content Creator
🏢 Esports Awards 🇪🇺 Remote Europe/UK  📄 Full Time 🎚️ 3+ years exp

[8] Lead Game Producer
🏢 Yodo1 🗺️ Remote Anywhere 📄 Full Time 🎚️ 5+ years exp

[9] QA Tester
🏢 Incuvo 🇵🇱 Katowice 📄 Full Time 🎚️ 1+ year exp

[10] Brand Ambassador
🏢 Nintendo 🇺🇸 Los Angeles, CA 📄 Full Time 🎚️ 1+ year exp

Despite another glut of terrible news, 210+ fresh openings have been posted over the last seven days. Plenty of studios are still hiring, though we appreciate it’s tougher than ever on the job hunt. 🧡

Big News 📰

😞 Xbox shuts down Tango Gameworks, Arkane Austin, and more studios

• Arkane Austin, Tango Gameworks, Alpha Dog, and Roundhouse Games, all owned by Microsoft, will cease operations. Some employees are moving to other studios, while others will be let go. It is unclear how many employees have been laid off at this time.
  

• Xbox head Matt Booty announced the cuts in an internal memo, citing "reprioritization of titles and resources" as the company seeks to focus on Bethesda's "high-impact titles."
  

• Roundhouse Games, which was founded in 2019 and contributed to the development of multiple Bethesda titles, will be absorbed into ZeniMax Online Studios to work on The Elder Scrolls Online.

Other News 🗞️

In one of the worst weeks of 2024 so far, Take-Two’s Private Division label is reportedly laying off the majority of its workforce and shutting down both Kerbal Space Program developer Intercept Games and Rollerdrome studio Roll7.

Paladin Studios has also ceased operations due to financial concerns, making the decision while it still has the funds available to provide employees with severance packages.

On more positive notes, two of the big three have shared some updates: Nintendo's next console will be revealed within the fiscal year and Sony has reversed Helldivers 2's PSN requirements.

😟 Take-Two reportedly lays off "vast majority" of Private Division's workforce

😢 Paladin Studios has shut down after nearly two decades

👀 Nintendo confirms its next console will be announced by the end of March 2025

🙌 Sony reverses controversial Helldivers 2 PSN requirement

Getting Social 📲

Take a look at two of our most-viewed LinkedIn posts from the last seven days:

Our entry-level jobs thread this week is presented by Moustacheless Mario, who has found some incredible opportunities that require no professional experience!

Activision has several QA roles up for grabs in Dublin, while EA and Keywords have things covered in the US and Canada with some development gigs in various areas.

As always, check out our platform for more entry-level positions. We try our best to post them every weekday!

Tiny Glade, a cute castle-building/doodling title from Pounce Light, has made its way onto our—and many others—wishlists this week!

Using a gridless building system, players can place each individual brick, plank, and tile to build the little castle of their dreams. There is no need to worry about combat or complicated resource management either, which is always appreciated.

Tiny Glade is set to release in Q3 2024, with a demo available on May 30 through Steam.

Peace Out ✌️

Well, the break from layoff and shutdown news was great while it lasted. We suppose it couldn’t last forever and our thoughts are with everyone caught up in this latest round of cuts.

We keep hoping the tide will turn but we’re losing faith. Any small period of respite is typically followed by yet more crushing announcements that throw hundreds more lives into turmoil.

Job vacancy numbers are bouncing back, but nowhere near quickly enough to cater to all the new talent on the market. We’ve always had a supply and demand issue, but it’s worse than ever.

We’ll try to keep our heads up and implore you to do the same, please look after yourselves and each other!

Danny and the gang at Hitmarker 🧡