Double Fine Productions
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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.
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.
Get Psychonauts, Brutal Legend, and 9 More Double Fine Games for Just $8 in New Humble Bundle
Humble Bundle is offering a new package featuring 11 games from Double Fine Productions, including Psychonauts and Brutal Legend, for a total of $8. Players can add these titles to their Steam library through this promotion.
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.
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.
Report: Double Fine's union drive collapsed due to miscommunication and culture clash
A report details the collapse of Double Fine Productions' union drive in May 2026, attributing the failure to miscommunication and a clash between the studio's informal culture and US federal labor laws. The drive, reportedly the second at the company, was hampered by confusion over manager eligibility and internal conflicts, leading to its withdrawal.
The Best Xbox Games Built Around Risk and Reward
This article highlights several Xbox games that excel in offering players compelling risk-and-reward gameplay loops. Titles like No Man's Sky, Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag, Resident Evil Requiem, Keeper, and Elden Ring are discussed for their engaging mechanics and immersive experiences on Xbox consoles and PC.
Xbox is “Not For Sale”, Will Take Long-Term View With Microsoft, Says CEO
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has stated that the division is not for sale, despite recent layoffs and studio divestments. Sharma acknowledged that Xbox has a long way to go with Microsoft and will take a long-term view for growth. The company is restructuring, consolidating studios, and divesting some, while also discussing the future of Arkane Lyon and merging teams like Turn 10 Studios with Playground Games.
Double Fine's first game since being dumped by Xbox will be out in just 2 weeks
Double Fine Productions is releasing its new game, Thank You Bus Driver, in two weeks, marking its first title since being dropped by Xbox. This experimental driving simulator, described as 'Crazy Taxi meets Papers, Please!', will be available on PC via Steam, GOG, and Itch.io on October 14.
Double Fine's releasing its next game, Thank You Bus Driver, just months after splitting from Xbox
Double Fine Productions is releasing its new game, Thank You Bus Driver, on October 14 for PC storefronts like Steam, GOG, and Itch.io. This marks the studio's first release since regaining independence from Xbox earlier this summer, following Xbox's corporate restructuring and Double Fine's own workforce reduction.
Eight Games Are Leaving Game Pass As Minecraft Dungeons II Arrives
Microsoft's Game Pass service is adding Minecraft Dungeons II and Keeper in late September and early October, respectively. Minecraft Dungeons II will be a day-one release for Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers. However, eight other games will be removed from the service on September 30th.
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.
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.
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.
"I assume someone is being greedy somewhere" - Tim Schafer discusses current game industry woes following Double Fine's split with Xbox
Tim Schafer, founder of Double Fine Productions, discussed the studio's recent split with Xbox and his views on the current state of the game industry. He expressed support for Game Pass but questioned the economics leading to widespread layoffs, suggesting greed is a factor. Schafer praised Xbox's past support for Double Fine but noted their differing strategies.
Gears Of War: E-Day story director laid off as Halo Studios is reduced to scraps
Xbox Game Studios has implemented significant layoffs, impacting multiple first-party studios including Halo Studios and The Coalition. The story director for Gears Of War: E-Day, Juan Vaca, was laid off from The Coalition, while Halo Studios' cinematic director, Josh Daniels, experienced a promotion and layoff in the same week, with the studio reportedly reduced to a skeleton crew. These cuts are part of a larger restructuring effort by Microsoft, affecting other developers like Undead Labs and Double Fine Productions.
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.
Xbox Layoffs: 268 Employees Affected in Latest Restructuring — Too Much Gaming | Video Games Reviews, News, & Guides
Xbox has undergone significant restructuring, impacting 268 employees. While studios like Compulsion Games, Double Fine Productions, and Undead Labs are safe and continuing work on titles like State of Decay 3, Ninja Theory and Arkane Lyon face potential closure. The article suggests Microsoft grew too quickly and its investment in Xbox Game Pass is now contributing to these cutbacks.
