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Redfall co-director Harvey Smith reflects on his 16 years at Arkane, “a small company founded in 1999 by ‘six Frenchmen in a room.’

His long thread on X, formerly Twitter, follows yesterday’s news that Microsoft is shutting down a number of Bethesda studios, including Arkane Austin after developing the co-op vampire shooter Redfall.

Smith was at Arkane for 16 years, after becoming co-creative director alongside company president Raphaël Colantonia in 2008. He worked on Dishonored and Prey. Colantonio left the company in 2017 and founded WolfEye Studios.

“What place. It was 16 years for me. Some matches I will always cherish. I’m very proud of the team and the culture. No place is perfect, but we cared a lot and made an effort,” Smith said.

“My thoughts right now are helping my favorite team step into new roles, the aftermath. We shipped games together, played together, survived the pandemic and multiple mental hurricanes together. So my efforts are directed towards them.”

Smith recalls his time at Arkane, emphasizing the strong friendships formed at the studio beyond just being work colleagues.

“Yesterday, while we were packing up and calming each other down, I spent time with people who were part of the making of Redfall, Dishonored 1 and Prey, yes, but before that Deus Ex, Ultima and countless other games that left a mark on me” , Smith said.

“I’m saying this, and maybe you’ll get it: that doesn’t even include the huge, deep worlds we’ve created and the experiences we’ve had in games, board games, and RPGs over the years.

“Studios thrive on this, and some of the same creators have been playing D&D, Magic, and more for literally decades together. Some of our best work, actually, lol. And often the fuel for our creative fires.”

He continued: “Ups and downs, yes. But surely you understand that these are the things (IF you’re lucky, lol). I will never take for granted how many people want to make something that moves people, that wins awards, and is played by so many creatives in every field who work so hard for it.

“I wish everyone that luck.”

Smith’s thread is an emotional reminder of the people behind the games who are now most affected by Microsoft’s decisions.

Said Smith: “Lyon would eventually become a powerhouse. And it’s led by some people who are very dear to me, some of whom preceded me at Arkane, and some of whom I did everything in my power to enable early on, because I could just feel their talent burn. ”

“I’ve been responding to people who have been calling all day and night, and it continues. Friends and respected colleagues are the best. But on the other hand, the number of people who just liked the games and said amazing things is also very high. Just humbling. Love you all.

“I made a bunch of calls yesterday. I made connections. I made plans. My throat is still raw. Our people are really great. Many of them – like so many colleagues – are struggling. I hope the conditions will change soon.”

Ultimately, Smith concludes, “We put up with these things because we care about the people, the work. And when they come together, like a brilliant relationship or brilliant creative work, that’s literally the purpose of existence.”

Smith is among many others at both Arkane, Bethesda, and across the industry to voice their thoughts on Microsoft’s decision to shut down Arkane Austin, Tango Gameworks, and Alpha Dog.

Arkane Austin has reportedly been working on a major Redfall update “until very soon” to introduce an offline mode, as well as release its long-awaited Hero Pass, which will now not be released.