Redfall, the first big exclusive game released by Bethesda since it was acquired by Microsoft, got a disappointing reception. Even Microsoft executives Phil Spencer (CEO of the Gaming section) and Matt Booty (Head of Xbox Game Studios) had to acknowledge it while vowing to support developer Arkane Austin in its endeavor to improve the game.
Speaking to GamesIndustry, Bethesda’s Head of Publishing Pete Hines has now reiterated the intention, pointing out that Bethesda already has a track record of improving less than stellar launches, such as The Elder Scrolls Online and Fallout 76. Moreover, he said there is even more incentive due to the long life enabled by Game Pass.
We are always in a process of learning, so that’s not new for us. We don’t like failing to meet our players’ expectations. At the same time, we are the same company that has had launches that didn’t go the way we wanted, and we don’t quit or abandon stuff just because it didn’t start right.
The Elder Scrolls Online’s PC launch was not flawless, but we stuck with it. Now it’s like this insanely popular multiplatform. It’s the same with Fallout 76. Redfall is no different for us. Okay, we didn’t get the start we wanted, but it’s still a fun game… and we’re going to keep working on it. We’re going to do 60fps. We’re going to get it to be a good game because we know, as a first-party studio, Game Pass lives forever. There will be people ten years from now who are going to join Game Pass, and Redfall will be there.
As of yet, Arkane Austin has only released Update 1.1. Granted, they could be working on a larger patch to be made available later this year. Hopefully, we’ll soon hear more about how they want to overhaul their game; it is a matter of reputation, after all.
Luckily for Bethesda and Microsoft, Starfield had a very different reception and wasn’t affected by the extra pressure of Redfall’s disappointing release.
