Alpha Dog Games returns to independence two years after being shuttered by Xbox

Senior Editor, News,GameDeveloper.com

July 22, 2026

2 Min Read

Image via Alpha Dog Games

Mighty Doom developer Alpha Dog Games has reemerged as an independent studio two years after being shuttered by former owner Microsoft.

In a statement shared with Game Developer, studio founder Shawn Woods confirmed the mobile specialist is once again independently owned by its founding team.

"We're incredibly excited to have the name we put so much effort and pride into building back in our hands. First and foremost, we're grateful to Microsoft for working with us through the transition and enabling Alpha Dog Games to return to independent ownership. It means a great deal to have the opportunity to continue the studio's legacy, which began in 2012," he said.

"Over the past several months, we've continued investing in the studio’s technology and development foundation, including updating key parts of the Unity-based game engine framework that Mighty Doom was built on. That gives us a strong starting point as we consider what comes next."

Related:Former Wreckreation team starts up new studio working on sequel

Woods said Alpha Dog isn't ready to discuss specific projects or long-term plans, but explained the studio is currently in conversations with partners, publishers, licensors, and more.

"The excitement surrounding Alpha Dog Games over the past few days has honestly exceeded our expectations. It has been humbling to see how much our games still mean to players around the world. The passion from the community has reminded us just how special those experiences were, and we couldn’t be more excited about what the future may hold," he added.

Alpha Dog Games was shut down by Microsoft alongside Arkane Austin and Tango Gameworks—the latter of which was eventually salvaged by Krafton—in May 2024. The decision came shortly after the U.S. company completed its merger with Activision Blizzard and was made to prioritize "high-impact titles," according to a leaked email.

Two years later, Microsoft is fresh off completing its fifth round of mass layoffs since merging with Activision Blizzard, with the company recently confirming plans to cut 3,200 roles across its video game division before the end of the current fiscal year.

Multiple anonymous sources impacted by those layoffs recently told Game Developer key Xbox studios could "fall apart" after years of debilitating cuts.

About the Author

Senior Editor, News, GameDeveloper.com

Game Developer news editor Chris Kerr is an award-winning reporter with over a decade of experience in the game industry. His byline has appeared in notable print and digital publications including Edge, Stuff, Wireframe, International Business Times, and PocketGamer.biz. Throughout his career, Chris has covered major industry events including GDC, PAX Australia, Gamescom, Paris Games Week, and Develop Brighton.