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Xbox continues 'reset' with Halo Studios layoffs and Undead Labs divestment
Xbox has announced further layoffs, cutting 268 employees from various first-party studios including Halo Studios. This is part of a larger restructuring plan that has already seen divestments of studios like Undead Labs and Compulsion Games, and the proposed closure of Ninja Theory. Xbox is also consolidating internal studios and shifting development responsibilities, with Activision now set to develop the next Halo title.
Xbox announces a further 268 layoffs as Ninja Theory and Arkane remain on shaky ground
Xbox announced 268 additional layoffs, impacting studios like Halo Studios and XGS management, following a larger restructure initiated by CEO Asha Sharma. Ninja Theory faces potential closure as two acquisition agreements fell through, while Arkane Studios is still under consultation. This latest round of job cuts brings Xbox closer to its planned total of 3,200 redundancies.
Halo’s Next Game Is Coming From An Unexpected Developer: Activision
Microsoft has announced that Activision will develop the next Halo game, establishing a new team for the franchise while a smaller team at Halo Studios continues to support existing titles. This change coincides with significant layoffs impacting Halo Studios and other Xbox developers, as part of a broader reorganization under Bethesda and Activision Blizzard.
Xbox’s next wave of layoffs and game studio consolidation is reportedly happening this week
Microsoft's Xbox division is reportedly preparing for another wave of layoffs and studio consolidation this week, affecting hundreds of game developers. This follows previous cuts that impacted ZeniMax Online Studios, the developer of The Elder Scrolls Online. The potential consolidation also includes Xbox Game Studios, Bethesda, and Activision Blizzard.
Xbox’s Second Wave Of Planned Layoffs Is Reportedly Starting As Studios Face Major Restructuring
Xbox is reportedly initiating a second wave of layoffs, affecting approximately 1,600 employees, as part of a major restructuring of its gaming division. This initiative, led by Xbox boss Asha Sharma, aims to make the division more profitable and involves consolidating studios and potentially moving franchises like Halo to Activision Blizzard. Several first-party studios have also recently become independent or been sold off.
Insiders Warn More Bad News Is Coming From Xbox Today, With Halo Potentially Being Handed To ABK
Insiders report that Xbox is preparing for further layoffs and significant restructuring, with the possibility of the Halo franchise being transferred to Activision Blizzard. Speculation also points to potential studio closures and consolidations within Microsoft's gaming division.
More Xbox layoffs imminent as Activision takes control of Halo claim reports
Microsoft's Xbox division is reportedly planning another wave of significant layoffs, potentially affecting hundreds of employees this week, as part of a broader studio consolidation. Reports suggest that the Halo franchise and its associated studios may be moved under Activision Blizzard. This follows multiple rounds of job cuts and studio closures at Xbox over the past few years, which the article attributes to poor management.
Second wave of Xbox cuts reported to be happening this week, with "several" studios apparently facing consolidation
Microsoft's Xbox division is reportedly planning a second wave of layoffs this week, potentially affecting hundreds of employees and consolidating several studios. This follows a major restructuring in July and is part of Xbox CEO Asha Sharma's plan to return the gaming division to profitability by focusing on major franchises. The news has reportedly lowered morale among staff.
Xbox reportedly set to announce second round of layoffs this week
Xbox is reportedly preparing for a second round of layoffs this week as part of an ongoing restructuring that includes consolidating several of its game studios. This follows an earlier round of 1,600 redundancies and the divestment of five studios. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma cited spreading resources too thin and fragmentation as reasons for the changes, aiming for future growth.
Inside Activision’s £6.3 Billion Fight Against Cheat Sellers
Activision Blizzard estimates the global market for game cheating services, including subscriptions, account sales, and spoofing, generates approximately $8.5 billion annually. The publisher's anti-cheat unit, Team RICOCHET, is actively pursuing legal action against cheat sellers, having disrupted over 375 reseller operations and shut down 31 primary vendors. This crackdown coincides with the upcoming release of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4.
Modern Warfare 4 should feel "ripped from the headlines," says Call of Duty developer: "It's been a while since we've seen the grunt perspective"
Infinity Ward aims for a gritty, grounded, 'ripped from the headlines' style for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, returning to a traditional modern warfare focus with a 'grunt perspective' in its campaign. The developer is emphasizing weapon fidelity and a balanced movement system that caters to both fast-paced and tactical players.
I tried to make a jpg bigger than mathematically possible out of an entire year's worth of PC Gamer magazine pages
A writer for PC Gamer created a large photo mosaic using digitized pages from the magazine's archives, spanning from its inception to 2008. The mosaic, built from individual magazine pages acting as pixels, was created using Python scripts and image analysis tools, though the author emphasizes it is not AI-generated. The process involved overcoming technical limitations of the JPG file format and PC memory capacity.
How to Stay Relevant as a Developer in the Age of AI
The rapid advancement of AI tools is fundamentally changing software development, prompting developers to focus on skills beyond routine coding to remain relevant. Key areas for growth include systems and architecture design, problem framing, technical judgment, security and risk management, communication, and effectively directing AI.
UK software sales chart for the week ending September 19, 2026 – Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave debuts in second
The UK software sales chart for the week ending September 19, 2026, shows Marvel's Wolverine taking the top spot, followed by the Nintendo Switch exclusive Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave. Trails in the Sky: 2nd Chapter also made its debut on the chart.
MMO Business Roundup: GTA 6 multiplayer, King employee strike, and Xbox Game Pass rumors
Twitch CEO Dan Clancy anticipates Grand Theft Auto VI multiplayer will significantly boost the platform upon its release next year. Meanwhile, Microsoft has addressed rumors about potential Xbox Game Pass changes, stating that no definitive plans have been finalized. Additionally, unionized employees at King are planning a strike due to the rejection of a collective bargaining agreement.
The $40 Bet Behind Valor Mortis’ October Launch
Valor Mortis will launch on October 13 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S with a $40 standard edition and a $60 Deluxe Edition, which includes a major story DLC planned for 2027. Developer One More Level and publisher Lyrical Games are pricing the game competitively due to a crowded autumn release schedule, betting on its quality and status as a new IP to attract players.
King workers call strike after collective agreement negotiations stall
Union workers at King, the maker of Candy Crush and a subsidiary of Microsoft, are preparing to strike on September 25, 2026, after collective agreement negotiations with the Unionen trade union stalled. The union, representing a significant portion of King's white-collar employees, seeks a collective agreement to enhance job security and workplace influence, despite the company stating its current terms are fair and competitive.
Japanese companies like Nintendo, Capcom, and Konami are healthier because they have smaller teams, don't have frequent layoffs, and don't pay executives $30 million, says expert
An expert suggests that Japanese game companies like Nintendo, Capcom, and Konami are more stable due to smaller teams, fewer layoffs, and more reasonable executive salaries compared to their Western counterparts. While global layoffs are projected to reach over 57,000 between 2022 and 2026, the majority of these events and affected workers are concentrated in North America and Europe, with California being particularly hard-hit.
Activision Blizzard faces renewed sexual harassment and discrimination allegations in latest lawsuit
Activision Blizzard is facing a new lawsuit from a former employee alleging sexual harassment, retaliation, and discrimination over a 14-year period. The suit details accusations of inappropriate touching, attempted rape, and sabotage by 10 men, with claims that HR and superiors dismissed her reports. Blizzard stated they take the allegations seriously and strive for a respectful workplace.
Activision Blizzard sued by former employee over sexual harassment
Activision Blizzard is facing a lawsuit from a former employee alleging a pervasive 'frat boy' workplace culture that fostered sexual harassment and assault. The lawsuit details accusations of objectification, workplace pornography, and physical assault by male employees and supervisors. The company states it is taking the allegations seriously and strives for a respectful workplace.
