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Microsoft CEO Says “Streamlining” by Xbox Team is “Great to See” in the Wake of Layoffs
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella expressed confidence in Xbox's intellectual property and future game development despite recent restructuring and significant layoffs. He praised Xbox CEO Asha Sharma's streamlining efforts and reiterated the goal of sustainable business models for broader game accessibility. However, the division faces challenges including declining hardware revenue and pressure to deliver successful exclusives.
Former Elder Scrolls designer Kurt Kuhlmann on Fallout: New Vegas diehards: 'I don't know that Todd wanted to…
Former Elder Scrolls designer Kurt Kuhlmann discusses the perception that Obsidian Entertainment makes better Fallout games than Bethesda, noting Todd Howard's protectiveness over the series. He suggests The Elder Scrolls Online helped alleviate pressure by providing a current Elder Scrolls experience for fans.
Microsoft CEO says Xbox's "streamlining" is "great to see" despite cuts and layoffs
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella expressed optimism about Xbox's future and praised ongoing "streamlining" efforts led by Xbox CEO Asha Sharma, despite recent significant layoffs and studio closures. Nadella stated his confidence in Xbox's intellectual property and its ability to produce great games, while emphasizing the need for sustainable business models to reach more players.
Microsoft CEO says Xbox's 'streamlining' process is 'great to see' following its most recent…
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella commented on the recent Xbox layoffs and studio restructuring, describing the process as "great to see" and comparing it to streamlining a Formula 1 car. Despite significant job cuts and studio closures, Nadella expressed confidence in Xbox's intellectual property and its ability to grow as a publisher and platform provider across PC and Xbox consoles.
Former Starfield designer says Bethesda's sci-fi RPG probably won't get a sequel, because the original wasn't 'anywhere near successful enough'
Former Starfield designer Kurt Kuhlmann expressed doubt about a sequel, stating the game was not successful enough for Bethesda to pursue a second installment. He believes lessons learned from Starfield could have improved a sequel, particularly regarding its outpost building mechanic, but suggests the studio will likely prioritize The Elder Scrolls and Fallout.
The Xbox reset doesn't have an end date | Opinion
The ongoing Xbox business reset, initiated by CEO Asha Sharma, has extended far beyond its initial 100-day target with no clear end date or vision. The extensive layoffs and studio closures, including the likely shuttering of Ninja Theory, have created an atmosphere of instability and uncertainty, raising questions about Microsoft's long-term strategy for the Xbox brand.
Före detta Starfield-utvecklare: "Det lär inte bli något Starfield 2"
Former lead systems designer for Starfield, Kurt Kuhlman, believes a sequel is unlikely due to the first game's insufficient sales. He suggests that while a Starfield 2 could have better realized Todd Howard's vision, the current game doesn't quite match that potential.
Bethesda is Too Protective of The Elder Scrolls to Allow New Vegas-Style Spinoffs, Says Skyrim Co-Lead
Former Skyrim co-lead Kurt Kuhlmann stated that Bethesda is highly protective of The Elder Scrolls franchise, preventing the creation of New Vegas-style spinoffs. This contrasts with the Fallout series, where Obsidian Entertainment developed Fallout: New Vegas. While Todd Howard is protective, The Elder Scrolls Online has helped alleviate pressure, and anticipation for The Elder Scrolls 6 remains high, with Xbox CEO Asha Sharma praising an early build.
Xbox’s “Aggressive” Revenue Goals Were “Unrealistic” Even Before Layoffs, Says id Software Dev
An id Software developer revealed that Xbox's aggressive revenue goals are considered unrealistic and contributing to ongoing chaos and layoffs within the company. Despite attempts at communication, management's vision is perceived as lacking, with a strong focus on immediate profit increases. This sentiment is shared across studios, with morale sinking due to perceived incompetence.
State of Decay 3 Studio Was Going to Be Acquired by Splash Damage Before Deal Fell Through – Rumor
Xbox is reportedly divesting four studios, including Undead Labs, developer of State of Decay 3. A rumored acquisition of Undead Labs by Splash Damage fell through, as did potential deals for Ninja Theory. These moves are part of a larger business "reset" by Xbox, which has also involved significant layoffs and studio reorganizations.
"I don’t think Starfield was anywhere near successful enough to do a Starfield 2," former Bethesda dev…
Former Bethesda lead systems designer Kurt Kuhlmann believes Starfield was not successful enough to warrant a sequel, suggesting a Starfield 2 could have better realized Todd Howard's vision. He points to the game's lack of coherence, particularly with its outpost system, as a key area for improvement that was not addressed from Fallout 4.
8 strong Elder Scrolls opinions: With over 2,500 combined hours (and not all as stealth archers), we shout at each other…
Five PC Gamer editors share their strong opinions on The Elder Scrolls series, accumulated over 2,500 hours of gameplay. Discussions cover the series' shift away from traditional RPG mechanics, the quality of main quests versus side quests in Skyrim and Oblivion, the merits of Oblivion's spellmaking, and the potential for a future Elder Scrolls TV show.
Quake Champions eliminates its free-to-play monetization elements in favor of a $10 box price
Quake Champions has transitioned from a free-to-play model to a $10 box price on Steam, removing all battle passes and microtransactions. This change, likely a de facto maintenance mode following layoffs at id Software and Bethesda, also offers existing players continued access and refunds for purchased currencies. The Microsoft Store version has been retired.
"It genuinely breaks my heart"- Confusion and frustration reign as gaming communities react to Xbox's drastic restructuring this week
Xbox has undergone a significant restructuring this week, leading to widespread layoffs and the impending closure of Ninja Theory. Studios like Obsidian Entertainment, Rare, and World's Edge have been re-assigned to different publishing arms within Xbox's ecosystem, causing confusion and frustration among players and developers regarding future game development and monetization strategies.
'I Don’t Think Starfield Was Anywhere Near Successful Enough to Do a Starfield 2' – Former Bethesda Dev Casts Doubt on Sequel
A former Bethesda lead systems designer, Kurt Kuhlmann, expressed doubt about the likelihood of a Starfield sequel. He stated that the game was not successful enough to warrant a follow-up, suggesting that sales figures may not have met expectations.
Quake Champions ditches free-to-play and kills off its Microsoft Store version eight years after its original release
Quake Champions is transitioning from a free-to-play model to a paid product, eight years after its initial release. The Microsoft Store version is being discontinued, with the game now exclusively available on Steam for £8.99/$9.99. This change also marks the end of ongoing development for the game.
4 years after full launch, Quake Champions is a paid game on Steam with old content unlocked and microtransactions removed as devs announce an end to updates
Quake Champions has transitioned to a paid model on Steam, removing microtransactions and unlocking all characters and most vanity content. This change comes four years after its full launch and marks an end to further content updates for the game, with id Software and Bethesda Softworks citing structural changes within Microsoft's gaming division.
Bethesda say new underlings Obsidian will retain their "distinct" creative identity, despite no longer being as free to work on their own creatively distinct series
Bethesda's Jill Braff announced that Obsidian Entertainment will now report to Bethesda, impacting its creative independence. While Braff claims Obsidian's distinct identity will remain, the article argues this structural change, especially with Obsidian working on a new Fallout project, will likely dilute their ability to create original series like The Outer Worlds or Pentiment.
Following id layoffs, Quake Champions drops free-to-play nonsense and becomes a £9 game on Steam
Quake Champions has transitioned from a free-to-play model to a premium purchase on Steam, removing battle passes, loot boxes, and its in-game store. This change occurs in the context of significant layoffs at id Software, its developer, following Microsoft's acquisition of Zenimax. While the game will continue in some form, no further content updates are planned.
Microsoft files patent for "ad-credit" system to show ads on PC and Xbox without disrupting gameplay
Microsoft has filed a patent for an "ad-credit" system that would display advertisements during PC and Xbox gameplay by pausing the game during natural breaks like loading screens. Players would earn credits for ad-free playtime after viewing ads. This follows earlier reports of Xbox considering ads for cloud gaming and recent tests of ad-supported streaming sessions.
