Former Arkane Studios president criticizes Microsoft for closing the studio

Microsoft closed Arkane Austin earlier this year, a move criticized by the studio's founder, Raphaël Colantonio. He described the decision as "stupid" and questioned the reasoning behind it, suggesting it was a response to investor pressures. Colantonio emphasized the unique talent at Arkane Austin, stating that recreating such a team would be nearly impossible. He noted that the studio had a special chemistry that contributed to its success, which cannot be easily replicated. The closure was part of broader cuts at Microsoft, which included shutting down other studios. Microsoft cited a "reprioritization of titles and resources" as the reason for the layoffs, which affected 1,900 employees.