Redfall developers begged Microsoft to come back and finish its last patch: ‘I know we don’t work here anymore, but can we please release this?’
Redfall, the critically and commercially failed live-service game from Arkane Austin, saw an unexpected final chapter when Microsoft allowed former developers to return and complete a major patch after the studio’s shutdown. The game, which PC Gamer called “the first Arkane game we don’t like,” marked a significant departure from Arkane’s legacy of critically acclaimed titles like Prey. Following Redfall’s poor reception, Microsoft shut down Arkane Austin approximately one year after launch.
However, the story didn’t end there. According to former Arkane leads, a significant patch (version 1.4) was already in development when layoffs occurred. Remarkably, the developers reportedly pleaded with Microsoft to allow them to return and finish the work, with one reportedly saying “I know we don’t work here anymore, but can we please release this?” Microsoft granted permission for the team to come back and complete the final major update, representing an unusual move that underscores both the developers’ commitment to their work and Microsoft’s willingness to provide closure on the failed project.
This development adds a bittersweet dimension to Redfall’s troubled history. While the game itself failed commercially, the ability to release a final patch demonstrates game preservation and developer agency. It’s a rare instance where a publisher allowed a disbanded team to finish their work, offering closure to the remaining player base and giving developers a chance to end their involvement on their own terms.