Latest news with #ArkaneStudios
Engadget
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Engadget
Arkane founder calls Game Pass an 'unsustainable model' that's wrecking the industry
Arkane Studios founder Raphael Colantonio had some harsh words for Game Pass in a thread on X, calling it an "unstainable model" that's "damaging the industry." He also said that Microsoft's ability to throw "infinite money" at the platform will eventually wane because "reality has to hit." Colantonio continued by saying Microsoft will "kill everyone else, or give up" and that gamers only like the service because "the offer is too good to be true." He also wrote that these same players will turn on the platform when "they realize the effects on the games," alluding that the Netflix-style approach allows for underwhelming titles. His remarks follow last week's major layoffs, in which Microsoft let go of over 9,000 people. Many of the impacted employees were involved with the company's gaming divisions and first-party developers. Halo Studios lost people, as did the Candy Crush maker King. Some studios were shuttered and a bunch of games were cancelled. It sucked. However, the general consensus is that Microsoft's continued investment in AI played a role in these layoffs, and not the existence of Game Pass. Colantonio says that AI's involvement "might be a BS excuse." While there's no evidence that the subscription-based catalog service contributed to the job cuts, there is some data that suggests Game Pass hurts the sales numbers of titles under its umbrella. This makes a certain amount of sense. AAA games are $70 and Game Pass is $10 to $20 per month. Anecdotally, I picked up a subscription to play Indiana Jones and the Great Circle instead of buying the game directly from Bethesda. Arkane Studios is the firm behind games like Deathloo p, Dishonored and Prey . The company's currently working on a game based on Marvel's resident vampire hunter Blade.
Metro
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Xbox Game Pass has been 'damaging the industry for a decade' says Arkane founder
The designer behind Dishonored has criticised Game Pass in the wake of sweeping Microsoft layoffs, describing it as an 'unsustainable model'. Microsoft's latest round of job cuts has led to studio closures and a slew of game cancellations, but one developer believes there's an unaddressed issue at the heart of the matter. In a post on X, Arkane Studios founder Raphaël Colantonio, who directed Dishonored and Prey before he left the studio in 2017, highlighted Xbox's subscription service Game Pass as the 'elephant in the room' following the layoffs last week. 'Why is no-one talking about the elephant in the room? Cough cough (Game Pass),' he wrote. When asked about his thoughts on the subscription service, Colantonio added: 'I think Game Pass is an unsustainable model that has been increasingly damaging the industry for a decade, subsidised by [Microsoft's] 'infinite money', but at some point reality has to hit. 'I don't think Game Pass can co-exist with other models, they'll either kill everyone else, or give up.' Colantonio, who has since co-founded developer WolfEye Studios, said he is 'fed up with all the BS [Xbox] fed us at first', regarding Game Pass supposedly not having any impact on normal sales, 'only to admit years later that it totally does'. Sign up to the GameCentral newsletter for a unique take on the week in gaming, alongside the latest reviews and more. Delivered to your inbox every Saturday morning. He added: 'It's a long game that involves throwing a tsunami at the entire ecosystem of the industry. Only the gamers like it, because the offer is too good to be true, but eventually even gamers will hate it when they realise the effects on the games.' I think Gamepass is an unsustainable model that has been increasingly damaging the industry for a decade, subsidized by MS's 'infinite money', but at some point reality has to hit. I don't think GP can co-exist with other models, they'll either kill everyone else, or give up. — Raphael Colantonio (@rafcolantonio) July 5, 2025 Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer claimed Game Pass was profitable during an interview in 2023, but based on available evidence (Microsoft stopped sharing Game Pass subscriber numbers in 2022), spending on the service has only marginally increased over recent years – despite price increases and the addition of Call Of Duty. More Trending While it's difficult to say whether this lack of growth is the root cause of Xbox studio closures over the past few years, Game Pass has become Xbox's key selling point in its shift towards a multiplatform publisher, so it's certainly a factor. Microsoft has claimed in the past that Game Pass helps boost game sales, but a document which emerged during the UK Competition and Market Authority's investigation into the company's acquisition of Activision Blizzard says otherwise. 'Microsoft also submitted that its internal analysis shows a [redacted]% decline in base game sales 12 months following their addition on Game Pass,' read the CMA report from 2023. Microsoft might be trying to avoid stating it outright, but It's clear Game Pass isn't working as well as it hoped. The big question is whether this is the sinking ship for Xbox, or something they can turn around. Email gamecentral@ leave a comment below, follow us on Twitter. To submit Inbox letters and Reader's Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use our Submit Stuff page here. For more stories like this, check our Gaming page. MORE: Games Inbox: What is the best retro video game? MORE: Best new mobile games on iOS and Android – July 2025 round-up MORE: As an Xbox fan all I can say is that Microsoft betrayed us – Reader's Feature
Geek Girl Authority
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Girl Authority
DEATHLOOP and OGU AND THE SECRET FOREST Are Free in the Epic Games Store
Every week, the Epic Games Store gives away in-game loot and free game titles; all you have to do is remember to collect them. This week, play as an assassin stuck in a time loop in Deathloop and return the Great One's powers in Ogu and the Secret Forest. Deathloop Ogu and the Secret Forest. Act quickly because these goods are only free via the Epic Games Store for a limited time. Epic Games is known for giving away free games every week. It's simple — all you have to do is log into your Epic Games account, download the launcher, and claim your weekly freebies. Check out the loot available this week and grab it now because it is only free for a limited time. RELATED: Need more free games? Check out F2P Friday Deathloop Deathloop (2021) is a first-person shooter developed by Arkane Studios and published by Bethesda Softworks. Play as Colt, an assassin trapped with his rival in a mysterious time loop on Blackreef Island. Break the loop by assassinating eight key targets before you die, and the day resets. Each day is a learning opportunity to change strategies using powerful weapons and otherworldly abilities. Your rival Julianna will also be hunting you as you desperately seek freedom. She can be controlled by AI for solo play or by a friend for a multiplayer experience. Explore the retro-futuristic, '60s-inspired environment of Blackreef Island, designed by the same studio behind Dishonored. RELATED: Summer Game Fest 2025: A New Era of Horror Begins With Resident Evil Requiem Deathloop (a $59.99 value) is free in the Epic Games Store until June 12 at 10 am ET. Ogu and the Secret Forest Ogu and the Secret Forest (2024) is a hand-drawn 2D puzzle adventure developed by Moonlab Studio and published by Sinkhole Studio. The Great One's power has been shattered into pieces and scattered across the land. It is up to you, baby Ogu, to collect the pieces before your aggressive adversaries. Befriend friendly characters to defeat strange creatures as you unravel the mysteries of the world. RELATED: June's Most Anticipated Video Games Explore various types of areas, each with a unique atmosphere and story. Customize baby Ogu using hats and masks found throughout your journey. Some of these items may even grant special abilities. Solving puzzles throughout your journey will reveal even more secrets. Ogu and the Secret Forest features classic puzzles as well as new riddles that are unique to the game. Ogu and the Secret Forest is free (a 24.99 value) in the Epic Games Store until June 12 at 10 am ET. Wholesome Games Direct 2025: 9 Games Release Today
Yahoo
17-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Viktor Antonov, art director for Half-Life 2 and Dishonored, has died, according to colleagues
Viktor Antonov, best known for his work as art lead on Half-Life 2 and Dishonored, has reportedly died at age 52. Half-Life writer Marc Laidlaw broke the news in an Instagram Story, and other former colleagues have since taken to social media to pay tribute as well. 'I didn't want to say much till I felt it was confirmed, but I learned today that Viktor Antonov, our visionary art lead on HL2, has died,' Laidla wrote in the now-expired post, which was reshared by LambdaGeneration on Saturday night. Antonov got his start in video games working on Redneck Rampage, and in addition to serving as art director for Half-Life 2 and Dishonored, he went on to consult on titles including Doom (2016) and Fallout 4. The Bulgarian artist just recently appeared in a documentary celebrating the 20th anniversary of Half-life 2 this past November. 'RIP Viktor Antonov. I wish I told you how much admiration I had for you but we get caught in our lives until a surprise like this hits us,' Raphael Colantonio, founder of Arkane Studios and Wolfeye Studios, wrote on Bluesky. 'You were instrumental to the success of Arkane Studios and an inspiration to many of us, also a friend with whom I have many fond memories.' In another post, game designer Harvey Smith added, 'All this about his impact and talent is true, but I will also always remember how much he made me laugh, with his dry, devastating wit. RIP.'
Yahoo
16-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Viktor Antonov, art director for Half-Life 2 and Dishonored, has died, according to colleagues
Viktor Antonov, best known for his work as art lead on Half-Life 2 and Dishonored, has reportedly died at age 52. Half-Life writer Marc Laidlaw broke the news in an Instagram Story, and other colleagues have since taken to social media to pay tribute as well. 'I didn't want to say much till I felt it was confirmed, but I learned today that Viktor Antonov, our visionary art lead on HL2, has died,' Laidla wrote in the now-expired post, which was reshared by LambdaGeneration on Saturday night. Antonov got his start in video games working on Redneck Rampage, and in addition to serving as art director for Half-Life 2 and Dishonored, he went on to consult on titles including Doom (2016) and Fallout 4. The Bulgarian artist just recently appeared in a documentary celebrating the 20th anniversary of Half-life 2 this past November. 'RIP Viktor Antonov. I wish I told you how much admiration I had for you but we get caught in our lives until a surprise like this hits us,' Raphael Colantonio, founder of Arkane Studios and Wolfeye Studios, wrote on Bluesky. 'You were instrumental to the success of Arkane Studios and an inspiration to many of us, also a friend with whom I have many fond memories.' In another post, game designer Harvey Smith added, 'All this about his impact and talent is true, but I will also always remember how much he made me laugh, with his dry, devastating wit. RIP.'
