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Microsoft is Providing a “Voluntary Exit Offer” to Around 60,000 Employees
Microsoft is implementing company-wide cost-cutting measures by offering a "Voluntary Exit Offer" to approximately 60,000 employees across various regions, including those within Xbox. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to increase flexibility and support employees considering career changes. The company has also recently undergone significant layoffs, impacting around 1,600 roles at Xbox, and is divesting four studios while Arkane Lyon faces potential closure.
Arkane Lyon’s Deadline to Find a New Buyer Has Been Pushed Back to December 13th
Microsoft has extended the deadline for Arkane Lyon to find a new buyer to December 13th, allowing the studio to continue development on Marvel's Blade. This decision comes amidst wider Xbox cost-cutting measures, including significant job cuts and the divestiture of other studios, which have led to anger and concern among employees and union representatives.
Xbox Chief Operating Officer Departs After 3 Months
Helen Chiang has departed from her role as Xbox chief operating officer after only three months. Her departure follows a 21-year tenure at Microsoft, during which she was involved with titles like Minecraft and led Mojang. This exit is part of a broader trend of leadership changes and layoffs within Xbox.
Xbox's first chief operating officer Helen Chiang leaves Microsoft just three months into the job
Helen Chiang, Xbox's first chief operating officer, has departed Microsoft just three months after assuming the role. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma confirmed the news in an internal memo, citing Chiang's 21 years of service but offering no specific reason for her departure. This move comes amidst a significant restructuring within Xbox that included layoffs and studios becoming independent.
Time could be running out for Arkane
Arkane Lyon is reportedly facing potential closure by Microsoft by November 13, following a month-long extension to find a buyer. This comes after Xbox laid off thousands of employees and shut down Ninja Theory. While Microsoft states the closure documents are part of a required consultation process, the studio's future remains uncertain as it continues development on Marvel's Blade.
As devastating Xbox "reset" continues, Dishonored studio Arkane Lyon reportedly only has until November to find a new buyer before it's closed
Arkane Lyon, the studio behind Dishonored and Deathloop, is reportedly facing closure by November if a buyer is not found, following significant layoffs at Xbox. Microsoft acquired ZeniMax, which owned Arkane, in 2021. The studio's current project, Marvel's Blade, is reportedly still in development but its future is uncertain amidst these potential closures.
Marvel's Blade 'nearing the end' of production as Arkane faces closure
Arkane Lyon, the studio behind Dishonored and Deathloop, faces potential closure by November 13, 2026, if a buyer is not found, as part of Microsoft's broader Xbox layoffs. The studio's upcoming game, Marvel's Blade, is reportedly nearing the end of its production phase, leading to concerns about the financial and artistic waste if the studio is shut down.
Arkane Lyon Could Be Shut Down Within Weeks As Deadline To Find A Buyer Looms
Arkane Lyon, the studio behind Marvel's Blade, is reportedly facing closure if a buyer is not found by November 13. Microsoft is obligated to search for a buyer under French law, but negotiations are reportedly not going well. The studio has a 27-year history, having developed titles like Dishonored and Deathloop.
Xbox is reportedly planning three waves of layoffs between now and January as part of its plan to cut 3,200 jobs by the…
Xbox is reportedly planning three more waves of layoffs in November and January 2027 as part of its plan to cut 3,200 jobs by the end of the fiscal year. These cuts have reportedly demoralized employees and led to the separation from several studios, with Ninja Theory at risk of closing. The article also touches on internal projections for the next-gen Xbox and an upcoming Xbox Game Pass overhaul.
Xbox Will Go Through More Layoffs in October, November, and January – Rumor
Xbox is reportedly planning multiple rounds of layoffs in October, November, and January, following an initial wave in July. CEO Asha Sharma cited a need to cut costs and improve profitability due to over-expansion and underperforming investments. These cuts are part of a larger plan to reduce approximately 3,200 jobs by fiscal year 2027 and have already led to the divestment of several studios.
Hundreds of layoffs and many cancelled projects later, Xbox CEO Asha Sharma reportedly says 'we will not…
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma reportedly stated the company's commitment to creating new intellectual property and backing its strongest franchises. This comes amidst significant layoffs, studio reorganizations, and project cancellations, leading to confusion and criticism regarding Xbox's actual strategy.
Xbox CEO: We Must Rely On The Past, But We Cannot Rely On The Past
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma emphasized the need for Microsoft's gaming division to balance reliance on major franchises with the creation of new intellectual property for long-term survival. While acknowledging the importance of established titles like Halo and Gears of War, Sharma stressed that innovation and new IP are crucial to reaching new audiences and preventing stagnation.
Asha Sharma reportedly tells rattled Xbox employees: "We have to find new ways, and courage, to have invention on new IP"
Xbox leader Asha Sharma reportedly stated that the company must innovate and create new intellectual property to survive, rather than solely relying on existing franchises. This comes despite recent studio closures and consolidations that have impacted developers known for creating new game ideas.
Xbox boss Asha Sharma says "we will not survive" without "enduring new IP," despite being in the middle of laying off 3,200 employees and parting ways with numerous studios
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma stated that the company "will not survive" without creating new, enduring intellectual property, despite ongoing restructuring that includes 3,200 layoffs and several studios becoming independent or having projects canceled. Sharma emphasized the need for invention and reaching new audiences, while also acknowledging the importance of backing strong franchises. The company is set to publish Hideo Kojima's upcoming games OD and Physint.
Undead Labs boss "reluctant to share" number affected by layoffs: "I would hate to reduce the impact to those individuals to a number or statistic"
Undead Labs studio head Philip Holt expressed reluctance to share the exact number of employees affected by recent layoffs, emphasizing the human impact over statistics. The developer transitioned to an employee-owned studio following restructuring at Xbox, with Holt aiming for transparency during the difficult process. This move was part of broader Xbox layoffs impacting multiple studios.
Xbox aim to wring more cash out of the games they've not cast into oblivion by launching new licensing arm and handing Minecraft to ex-Meta monetisation lead
Xbox is launching a new licensing division, Xbox Products (XP), to generate more revenue from its major game franchises through film, TV, merchandise, and events. This initiative comes as Xbox undergoes significant layoffs, with a total of 3200 employees being let go. Mojang, the developer of Minecraft, has appointed Maria Angelidou-Smith, formerly of Meta, as its new CEO, bringing extensive experience in product and monetization but no direct gaming industry background.
Undead Labs speaks about its split from Xbox, revealing it has to "make some changes" to State of Decay 3 following layoffs
Undead Labs has revealed that it must make changes to State of Decay 3 following significant layoffs after regaining independence from Xbox. Studio head Phillip Holt stated that while the game is in alpha, the departure of colleagues necessitates adjustments, though not a dramatic scope reduction. The studio is now focused solely on creating the best possible game for its audience.
State Of Decay 3 Was Announced Early To Keep Undead Labs On Microsoft’s Radar
State of Decay 3 developer Undead Labs announced the game early in 2020 to keep the project on Microsoft's radar during an acquisition spree, according to studio boss Philip Holt. The studio has since become independent and employee-owned. Holt explained that the early announcement was a strategic move to prevent the studio from being overlooked amidst Microsoft's acquisitions of companies like Bethesda and Activision Blizzard.
Alleged footage of Xbox's cancelled Perfect Dark reboot shows a parkour-heavy chase scene and the summary execution of fruit
Alleged footage of Microsoft's cancelled Perfect Dark reboot has surfaced, showcasing chase sequences and shooting mechanics. The game, developed by The Initiative, was cancelled as part of mass layoffs at Microsoft, with attempts to revive it by Take-Two Interactive reportedly falling through. Several other studios, including Crystal Dynamics, Double Fine, Undead Labs, Compulsion Games, Ninja Theory, and Arkane Studios, were also affected by these layoffs.
As Xbox swings the axe, Gears of War: E-Day developers fear they'll be laid off straight after launch - and right before they'd be due their bonuses
Developers at The Coalition, the studio behind Gears of War: E-Day, are increasingly fearful of imminent layoffs following recent waves of job cuts at Microsoft and Xbox. The departure of the game's story director has heightened anxiety, particularly concerning potential loss of Metacritic bonuses tied to the game's launch.
