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Xbox lays off Gears of War: E-Day's story director barely two weeks before the game's launch
Xbox has conducted significant layoffs, impacting the story director of the upcoming Gears of War: E-Day, Juan Vaca, just weeks before its October 6th release. This news comes amidst broader restructuring within Xbox, affecting studios like Rare, World's Edge, Playground Games, Turn 10 Studios, Obsidian Entertainment, and 343 Industries, with Ninja Theory reportedly heading towards closure.
Halo Moves to Activision as Xbox Cuts 268 More Jobs
Microsoft has confirmed another 268 layoffs across Xbox, impacting Halo Studios and other first-party teams, as part of a significant reorganization. Development of the next Halo game will move to Activision, while studios like Rare and World's Edge will now fall under Activision's remit. Ninja Theory is facing proposed closure.
Evening Reading - September 22, 2026
Xbox has confirmed significant layoffs affecting 268 employees across Halo Studios, Xbox Game Studios, and more. This restructuring includes the next Halo game being developed by Activision, and the merger of Turn 10 and Playground Games. Additionally, Obsidian Entertainment and Rage/World's Edge will now report under Bethesda and Activision respectively.
Halo: Campaign Evolved Cinematics Director Says He Was Promoted Shortly Before Being Laid Off
Xbox's cinematics director for Halo: Campaign Evolved, Josh Daniels, was promoted and then laid off in the same week as part of new job cuts affecting 268 workers at Halo Studios. Xbox EVP Matt Booty confirmed the layoffs are part of a larger plan to eliminate around 1,600 roles. Activision will now take over leadership for the Halo franchise, with its president Rob Kostich aiming to "make the greatest Halo game ever."
What the Hell is Going on With Halo and Xbox?
Xbox Game Studios has announced significant layoffs at Halo Studios, formerly 343 Industries, with 268 roles eliminated. A smaller team will continue to support existing Halo titles, while a new, separate team under Activision will develop the next mainline Halo installment. This move is part of a broader strategy to accelerate franchise output and streamline development, though it has led to widespread criticism regarding job security and studio management.
Xbox lays off more jobs and consolidates its studios in massive restructure
Xbox announced further layoffs, cutting 268 jobs and significantly restructuring its studios. Key developers like Bethesda and Activision will expand their remits, while Playground Games and Turn 10 Studios will merge. A dedicated team within Activision will now develop the next Halo game, and the futures of Ninja Theory and Arkane Studios remain uncertain.
Halo cinematic director "promoted and laid off in the same week" as Microsoft continues sweeping Xbox layoffs
Microsoft continues its significant layoffs across Xbox, impacting studios like Halo Studios, Ninja Theory, and Arkane. Former Halo Studios cinematic director Josh Daniels reported being promoted and laid off in the same week. Xbox CCO Matt Booty stated these cuts are part of a larger restructuring plan that will eliminate 3,200 employees in total.
Halo Studios Cinematic Director Promoted and Laid Off Within the Same Week as Xbox's Brutal Restructuring Continues
Josh Daniels, cinematic director at 343 Industries, was promoted and then laid off within the same week as part of Xbox's significant restructuring. This comes as Activision is reportedly taking over the next Halo game.
Rare & World's Edge will now report to Activision following Xbox layoffs
Following recent Xbox layoffs, developers Rare and World's Edge will now report to Activision. This change impacts the studios behind franchises like Sea of Thieves and Age of Empires, with Activision also overseeing the next Halo game. The future for these studios appears uncertain amidst ongoing restructuring.
Halo Fans Can't Decide if Activision Takeover Is a Good Thing or Not
Halo fans are divided over Activision's involvement in the creation of the next Halo game. The news has sparked debate within the community regarding the potential impact of the Call of Duty developer taking over the franchise.
After Microsoft's latest bloodbath, former Blizzard president Mike Ybarra offers "props to Xbox" for dismantling Halo Studios: "The best decision to reset Halo"
Following significant layoffs at Microsoft's Xbox division, former Blizzard president Mike Ybarra praised the company's decision to move the Halo intellectual property to Activision, calling it a positive reset for the franchise. The article notes that hundreds of Xbox employees were laid off, and Halo Studios has been reduced to a small support team as Activision takes over future Halo game development.
Halo Studios didn't have the chance to launch even one original title before Xbox decided to let Call of Duty…
Microsoft has shut down Halo Studios (formerly 343 Industries) after 268 layoffs, with the Halo franchise now being transferred to Activision. The studio never launched an original title, only a remake of Halo: Campaign Evolved, before its closure. This move is part of broader restructuring within Xbox Game Studios, which has seen significant cuts across multiple developers.
Activision’s Halo Game To Be A “Full-feature mainline installment”
Activision is taking the lead on the next mainline Halo game, with Halo Studios providing support. The article notes that the future of Halo remakes is now uncertain due to this development.
Sea of Thieves Fans Fear for Rare's Future as Studio Gets Put Under Activision Following Xbox Reset
Fans of Sea of Thieves are expressing concern over the future of developer Rare following its consolidation under Activision as part of a broader Xbox restructuring. This move has led to worries about the studio's independence and future projects.
Call Of Duty creators Activision to make next Halo game as Xbox confirm layoffs
Microsoft has confirmed significant layoffs and studio restructuring within its Xbox division, including the closure of Ninja Theory. Activision will now develop the next Halo game, while 343 Industries will focus on supporting existing titles. This move comes amidst broader industry trends of layoffs and consolidation, with other studios like Rare and Bethesda also undergoing shifts in oversight.
Activision was playing the long game – the Call of Duty dev lost a bidding war to acquire Rare over 20 years ago,…
Activision is now the home of Rare, 24 years after Xbox outbid the publisher for the studio in 2002. This move comes as part of Microsoft's recent reshuffling and job cuts. Rare, known for titles like Sea of Thieves and the Banjo-Kazooie series, now falls under the Activision banner alongside other classic platforming icons.
Activision will develop the next Halo game
Xbox has restructured its Halo studios, rebranding 343 Industries as Halo Studios and pivoting its focus to community support. Activision will now develop the next Halo title. This change accompanies significant layoffs within Xbox's gaming divisions.
Activision Is Making The Next Halo Game, Halo Studios Shifts To Support Role
Activision is now in charge of developing the next Halo game, with Halo Studios being reduced to a support role. This significant shake-up by Microsoft also involves job losses and major changes for the franchise.
"Good luck today, Halo friends": After years of rivalry, Call of Duty's creators have taken charge of Xbox's defining FPS series amid yet more layoffs
Microsoft has significantly restructured its Xbox gaming division, placing the Halo franchise under Activision's development leadership while demoting Halo Studios to a support role. This move is accompanied by substantial layoffs affecting 268 employees across various first-party studios, including Halo Studios. The article highlights the historical rivalry between Halo and Call of Duty and expresses concern for the affected employees.
State Of Decay 3 Lives On, And Is Still Coming To Game Pass
Microsoft has confirmed that Undead Labs, the developer of State of Decay 3, has reached an agreement with a new publisher, ensuring the game's continued development. The title will still launch day-one on Xbox Game Pass when it is ready. This news follows a period of studio reshuffles within Microsoft Game Studios, with several other studios also finding new publishing arrangements.
