When a game claims record-high player numbers on Xbox Game Pass, gamers usually expect titles like Fallout or The Elder Scrolls to be the ones breaking records. So, imagine the surprise when Arkane Studios’ Redfall was touted as achieving this milestone on Xbox Game Pass.
A Lead Server Engineer at Arkane Studios made bold assertions regarding their game over a post. This was shared on a social media platform causing disbelief across the gaming community.
Could Redfall be the dark horse of Bethesda’s lineup?
“Technically” Speaking
The Lead Server Engineer detailed significant advancements in Redfall’s server architecture. The post outlined the use of Microsoft Azure for scalable hosting, service containerization to streamline server release management, and decentralized game-instance hosting to ensure responsive gameplay across global regions.
These technical feats are undoubtedly impressive and suggest a solid foundation for a stable and scalable multiplayer experience. But do these backend improvements necessarily translate to record-high user engagement?
Gamers immediately cast doubt on the authenticity of the claim. Given Redfall’s mixed reception and relatively low profile compared to Bethesda’s flagship titles like Fallout and The Elder Scrolls, many in the gaming community find the claim hard to believe. And it’s true, the game hasn’t been able to be as good as it was promised to be.
However, a Redfall DLC might still be on the way even after the studio was closed down.
Redfall’s position within the Bethesda pantheon further complicates the issue. Fallout and The Elder Scrolls have long dominated the RPG landscape with vast, immersive worlds and dedicated fan bases.
Redfall, an open-world, co-op first-person shooter, represents a departure from these established franchises. While the technical team’s efforts may be commendable, the game’s reception hasn’t mirrored the success of its counterparts yet.
The gaming community is calling for more transparency and verifiable metrics to substantiate the claim, as they ought to. Without concrete data, the claim that Redfall achieved record-high user engagement on Xbox Game Pass remains dubious at best. Arkane Austin was reportedly one update away from saving Redfall when they were shut down.
For Arkane Studios, known for critically acclaimed titles like Dishonored and Prey, Redfall was expected to be another feather in their cap.
However, the game’s reception has been lukewarm, with many criticizing its design and gameplay mechanics.
Redfall Still Under Bethesda’s Shoes
The claim that Redfall achieved record-high concurrent and daily active players on Xbox Game Pass is intriguing but highly dubious. And as the conversation regarding this continues, one thing is quite clear: gamers don’t really get swayed by unverified claims. They always demand proof.
Whether Redfall managed these lofty claims may forever go unknown, with Arkane Austin shut, and Microsoft unlikely to release figures that would make them closing the studio even more questionable, but for now we have another discussion point around the entire ordeal.
What is your take on this engineer’s claims about Redfall? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
