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Report: Microsoft weighing up spinning off Xbox
Microsoft is reportedly considering spinning off or restructuring its Xbox division as a wholly owned subsidiary to improve its financial sustainability. New Xbox boss Asha Sharma has reportedly received approval to increase spending on key franchises like Halo and Fallout to accelerate development, despite recent revenue declines and plans for further layoffs.
Xbox Wants Faster Fallout, Elder Scrolls Games to Bolster Business
Microsoft is reportedly looking to accelerate the development of new titles in its Fallout and The Elder Scrolls franchises to improve the sustainability of its Xbox business. CEO Satya Nadella emphasized the need for Xbox to become profitable, while new boss Asha Sharma is tasked with streamlining game development. The company is considering various restructuring options for the Xbox unit, and future game releases may depend on the business's health, potentially impacting their availability on other platforms like PlayStation.
Xbox’s real exclusivity problem is they don’t make games people want - Reader’s Feature
A reader argues that Xbox's primary issue is a lack of desirable games, not its exclusivity policies. Despite owning major studios like Activision Blizzard and Bethesda, the author believes Xbox has been mismanaged for over a decade, leading to a decline in relevance and a lack of compelling titles that justify purchasing an Xbox Series X console.
Microsoft considered cutting Xbox off entirely and making it easier to sell, report says
A report indicates that Microsoft considered spinning out Xbox as a separate subsidiary or even selling the brand entirely due to declining console sales and plateauing Game Pass figures. This comes amid internal acknowledgments of Xbox's underperformance and expected layoffs. The report suggests these considerations were internal discussions and no specific partners or buyers were identified.
Morning Consolidation
Analysts suggest Xbox may implement studio shutdowns and ad-funded subscriptions following Asha Sharma's warning of a company 'reset'. Additionally, servers for Grid Legends will be shut down on PlayStation and other platforms.
Spyro: A Realm Beyond studio CEO says there was no 'pushback' to becoming independent from Activision Blizzard, but the process and planning the game at the same time was 'complex' — 'I think that was the biggest challenge'
Toys for Bob, the studio behind Spyro: A Realm Beyond, has stated that neither Activision Blizzard nor Microsoft opposed their decision to become an independent studio again. Studio Head Paul Yan described the process as complex due to the simultaneous planning of the new game and navigating the legal and logistical separation from their former parent company.
Overwatch reveals new character Shion, a motorcycle-riding DPS hero for season 3
Blizzard Entertainment has revealed Shion, the 52nd playable hero for Overwatch, who will be added in Season 3: Into the Tiger’s Den on June 16. Shion is a damage-class flanker with cybernetic enhancements and an oni-inspired design, utilizing dual pistols, a dash ability, and a motorcycle for offense and mobility. The new hero will be available to all players for free, coinciding with a Japanese crime syndicate theme for the season, including new cosmetics and the Neon Junction map.
Toys for Bob says independence has allowed the studio to rediscover what it loves
Toys for Bob, known for Skylanders and Crash Bandicoot 4, has become an independent studio following Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard. This independence allows the team to focus on character-driven games, moving away from support roles on titles like Call of Duty. The studio is partnering with Activision to develop the newly announced Spyro: A Realm Beyond, set for release in spring 2027 on PC, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation 5.
Xbox preparing for mass layoffs as Project Helix implied for Christmas 2027
Xbox is reportedly preparing for significant layoffs, potentially affecting around 1,000 employees, as the company faces declining revenue despite substantial investments. This comes as Xbox leadership discusses the high cost of console components and the need for new business models for the upcoming 'Project Helix,' rumored for a Christmas 2027 launch. The company has also seen multiple game cancellations and studio closures in recent years.
Xbox announces business 'reset' amid reports of layoffs and studio closures
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma announced a business 'reset' for Microsoft's gaming division, signaling significant layoffs and potential studio closures following years of declining revenue. The memo cites a substantial increase in component costs for hardware and memory, exacerbated by past expansion choices, as a major challenge. Sharma and Xbox content chief Matt Booty aim to revive the company by evolving its business model and partnerships over the next 100 days.
"We have found ourselves over extended", new Xbox CEO says amid reports of plans for major job cuts
New Xbox CEO Asha Sharma and head of Xbox Game Studios Matt Booty are reportedly planning significant job cuts across the gaming division. Sharma cited declining revenues despite substantial investments and rising component costs as reasons for a business 'reset'. The planned layoffs follow Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard King and come amid reports of internal questioning regarding the company's broad strategy and complex infrastructure.
XBOX to Suffer Layoffs to Counter Falling Revenue in July – Rumor
A report from Bloomberg's Jason Schreier suggests that Xbox is planning significant layoffs in July as part of CEO Asha Sharma's strategy to address falling revenue. The company has reportedly seen a nearly half-billion dollar decline in annual revenue over the past five years, excluding Activision Blizzard King. Alongside layoffs, budgets for marketing and other areas are expected to be reduced.
Xbox’s July Layoffs Could Involve Studio Closures – Rumor
A report from The Verge suggests that Microsoft's Xbox division may implement layoffs in July, potentially including the closure of a studio. This follows a Bloomberg report indicating major job cuts are planned by Xbox CEO Asha Sharma to mitigate revenue losses. Sharma and CCO Matt Booty acknowledged a 3 percent accountability margin decline and discussed challenges with rising hardware component costs, necessitating a new business model for future projects like 'Project Helix'.
XBOX Leadership Outlines Five “Realities” Faced by the Company Going Forward
Xbox leadership, including CEO Asha Sharma and Chief Content Officer Matt Booty, have outlined five key "realities" the company faces. These include fighting for player attention despite a large user base, a recent fiscal year decline due to investments, rising hardware component costs, the need to reassess investment priorities for game development, and an outdated platform infrastructure that requires rebuilding.
Xbox Planning Major Layoffs Next Month, Could Involve a Studio Closure
Xbox is reportedly planning significant layoffs next month, potentially affecting thousands of employees and possibly including the closure of a studio. This comes amid reports of declining annual revenue despite substantial investments, leading to a reassessment of business strategies and a potential shift back towards console exclusives.
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma and executive vice president Matt Booty publish staff memo ‘Next 100 Days: Xbox Reset’
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma and EVP Matt Booty have outlined a 'reset' plan for the company, acknowledging declining core revenue despite significant investment. The memo details challenges including a hardware component crisis and overextended studio systems, signaling potential major layoffs and restructuring to achieve profitability and a stronger market position.
Xbox posts new memo recapping CEO’s first 100 days, outlines “reset” for the company
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma and CCO Mat Booty have outlined the company's strategic reset following Sharma's first 100 days. The memo addresses challenges including declining revenue, hardware component costs, and studio overextension, while highlighting recent successes in platform updates, Game Pass growth, and new exclusive game announcements like Gears of War: E-Day and Clockwork Revolution.
Spyro: A Realm Beyond studio had to "buy back" its independence from Xbox "to get back to the games we were known for" instead of Call of Duty and Overwatch
Toys for Bob, the studio behind Skylanders and a co-developer for Call of Duty and Overwatch, has become independent from Microsoft. Studio head Paul Yan stated the decision was made to "buy back" creative control and return to developing games the studio is passionate about, rather than supporting larger IPs. The studio is now working on a new Spyro game, Spyro: A Realm Beyond, with a spring 2027 release window for Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC, and has an agreement with Xbox to publish it.
Major Xbox layoffs reportedly on the way as CEO Asha Sharma admits Microsoft's gaming division is "over…
Xbox is reportedly planning significant layoffs and budget cuts across its gaming division, according to an internal email from CEO Asha Sharma. Sharma and chief content officer Matt Booty cited over-investment in content and studios, which has not yielded expected revenue growth, as the reason for this "Xbox reset."
Xbox Reportedly Planning Big Layoffs For Next Month
Microsoft's Xbox division is reportedly planning significant layoffs after June 30, following statements from new CEO Asha Sharma about the business's financial health. Sharma cited declining revenue, increased hardware component costs, and strategic overextension as reasons for the impending cuts. These layoffs come after a period of studio expansion under previous leadership.