Alpha Dog Games Returns as an Independent Studio After Two-Year Hiatus Following Microsoft’s Closure

Two years ago, Microsoft made the shocking decision to shut down Arkane Austin, the team behind Redfall, along with Tango Gameworks, known for Hi-Fi Rush, and Alpha Dog Games, the creators of the mobile title Mighty Doom. Since then, Tango Gameworks has found a new home with PUBG’s publisher, Krafton. Now, it seems Alpha Dog is also making a comeback as an independent studio.

This update comes from the LinkedIn profile of studio founder Shawn Woods, who has relisted his experience at Alpha Dog Games from May 2025 onward, simply stating, “Independently owned, again.”

Previously located in Halifax, Alpha Dog Games specialized in mobile titles like Wraithborne and Ninja Golf. The studio was acquired by Zenimax Media in 2019, which was then taken over by Microsoft in 2021. They launched Mighty Doom, a roguelike shoot-em-up for Android and iOS, in March 2023 after a two-year soft launch, but the game was shut down in 2024 following the studio’s closure.

Currently, it’s uncertain what this new independent chapter will entail or who from the original team will be involved. There has been an outreach for comments from Woods.

This news offers a surprising glimmer of hope amid a wave of recent layoffs at Xbox, where 1,600 employees were let go, with another 1,600 expected to follow in the coming year. Several studios are also being restructured, with Double Fine and Compulsion going independent, while Ninja Theory and Undead Labs are finding new ownership. Arkane Lyon is currently undergoing “consultation” in France, leaving its future uncertain. Given the tumultuous changes in the industry over the past few years, it’s refreshing to see at least one studio that was impacted by Xbox’s acquisition strategy getting back on its feet.