Harvey Smith from Arkane Studios recently shared his thoughts on the studio’s closure by Microsoft last year. He described it as a major surprise, especially considering their earlier successes.
Smith, who played a crucial role as lead game designer for the original Deus Ex in 2000, joined Arkane in 2008. He was co-creative director on Dishonored and also contributed to Prey. Unfortunately, things took a downturn with their last project, Redfall, which struggled to perform well. Microsoft decided to shut down the studio in May after Redfall’s disappointing sales.
“Every company has its reasons for their decisions,” Smith mentioned in a recent episode of the My Perfect Console podcast. “While I don’t always agree, it was a shock because we had a history of making great games like Dishonored and Prey. We poured our hearts into Redfall, especially during the challenging pandemic years.”
Smith expressed particular concern for the newer team members who were early in their careers, stating, “It was a shock at first. I felt for those new to the industry, who had built their dreams around this project.” He acknowledged his own experience made the situation easier to bear but worried about the future of junior staff, who were just beginning to discover the thrill of game development.
Despite the closure, the team managed to release a significant update for Redfall that Smith described as a “huge upgrade.” He believed that if they had launched with that version, the game’s outcome might have been different. “We did our best to realize our vision, even if it didn’t fully come to life,” he added.
Smith also touched on the harsh online feedback that often accompanies game releases. He pointed out that game developers seem to receive intense scrutiny compared to other creative fields. “When a game flops, the backlash can be brutal. It’s disheartening,” he said. “Yet, you hope that the love from fans outweighs the negativity.”
Reflecting on his time at Arkane, Smith recalled working on an exciting yet unrealized Blade Runner game. “That would have been incredible,” he mused, possibly imagining how it could have enriched his career after Deus Ex.
Finally, after Redfall’s launch, Phil Spencer, head of Microsoft Gaming, publicly acknowledged their missteps. “We let a lot of people down,” he admitted, bringing attention to the studio’s challenging position.
As of 2023, the gaming industry faces a shift toward more collaborative approaches, where studios are focusing on engagement with their player base. The recent popularity of community-driven games shows a growing trend where player involvement can significantly influence a game’s success or failure. This highlights how vital it is for developers to connect with their audience and adapt based on feedback.
For more insights on current trends in gaming and player experiences, check out resources like the International Game Developers Association.
