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Doom creator John Romero praises the devs who carried on id Software's legacy as Microsoft reportedly lays off half of the studio: "The last few games showed real care, skill, and respect"
Doom co-creator John Romero has expressed his sympathy for id Software employees affected by recent layoffs, which reportedly cut the studio in half. Microsoft's Xbox division is undergoing a significant restructure, impacting ZeniMax Studios and its subsidiaries, including id Software, Bethesda Game Studios, and Arkane Studios. Despite reports of Bethesda focusing on its strongest franchises like Doom, Quake, and Wolfenstein, the extensive layoffs at id Software, particularly among coders working on the id Tech engine, raise concerns about the future of these series.
"We simply spread ourselves too thin" – Xbox's Asha Sharma on firm's restructuring plans
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma detailed the company's restructuring plans, which include 3,200 layoffs and the divestment of five internal studios: Compulsion Games, Double Fine, Ninja Theory, Undead Labs, and Arkane Lyon. Sharma stated that Xbox "spread itself too thin" with various bets, leading to a weakening of its core business and a need to streamline management and refocus resources.
What exactly is going on with Marvel's Blade? Arkane Lyon's fate remains unclear in the wake of Xbox's controversial 'reset'
Microsoft's Xbox division is undergoing significant layoffs and studio restructuring, impacting Arkane Lyon and its in-development game, Marvel's Blade. While the studio is in consultation due to French labor laws, reports suggest Blade is safe from cancellation despite being over-budget and internally delayed. Todd Howard of Bethesda Game Studios recently expressed positive impressions of the game.
Zenimax omorganiseras för att fokusera på sina stora varumärken
ZeniMax Media is undergoing a significant restructuring to concentrate on its major franchises like The Elder Scrolls, Fallout, Wolfenstein, Doom, and Quake. This reorganization follows recent layoffs at Xbox and involves some studios becoming independent or being sold, though ZeniMax itself retains its studios.
Xbox to cut 3200 jobs in the new financial year
Microsoft's Xbox division is undergoing its most significant restructure in history, with approximately 3,200 jobs being cut over the next fiscal year, including 1,600 immediately. Five game development studios are also departing, with Double Fine and Compulsion Games becoming independent, while Ninja Theory, Undead Labs, and Arkane Studios are in various stages of negotiation or consultation for new ownership. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma cited unhealthy business margins and a strategic shift towards AI investment as reasons for the cuts.
Games Inbox: Is the Xbox doomed to failure?
Readers express concerns about the future of Xbox, citing recent studio closures and a reliance on aging franchises like Halo and Gears of War. The discussion also touches on the shift towards digital-only games, the impact on game preservation, and the potential for companies like Sony to influence Kickstarter campaigns.
Comings and Goings
Following recent layoffs at Xbox, Double Fine and Compulsion Games have confirmed their studio statuses and ability to retain franchises like Psychonauts. A union has also launched a hardship fund to support laid-off developers.
The Xbox reset is not going to work if it’s just a retreat to the past
Microsoft's Xbox division continues to face significant challenges, marked by recurring mass layoffs and declining results. Despite the high volume of job cuts and studio closures, the company's future strategy remains unclear, with speculation that new leadership may be attempting to revert to past successes rather than innovate. The article questions the sustainability of this approach, especially concerning hardware sales and the exclusivity of major franchises like The Elder Scrolls 6.
Compulsion Games and Double Fine confirm "Independence Day" from Xbox
Compulsion Games and Double Fine have confirmed their return to independent management following significant layoffs and studio divestitures at Xbox. Compulsion Games will retain the rights to its titles, including We Happy Few and South of Midnight, while Double Fine also regains ownership of its games. This news comes as part of broader restructuring within Xbox's gaming division, affecting multiple studios.
Bethesda union blasts Microsoft as Xbox layoffs hit the Fallout and Elder Scrolls studio, too: "When will this cycle of cuts in pursuit of ever-greater profits end?"
Microsoft has initiated significant layoffs across its Xbox division, impacting Bethesda Game Studios and other developers. The Bethesda Game Studios Union expressed frustration over the recurring cuts, highlighting the impact on long-term employees and calling for an end to profit-driven redundancies. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma cited weak operating margins and underperforming investments as reasons for the restructuring, which includes potential strategic shifts for studios like Arkane.
“Catastrophic Mismanagement” And AI Gambits Led To Mass Xbox Layoffs, Expert Says
An expert attributes the recent mass layoffs at Microsoft, including 3,200 at Xbox, to "catastrophic mismanagement" by CEO Satya Nadella and the company's AI strategies. The article suggests that AI investments are not yielding sufficient returns, leading to cost-cutting measures that also involve divesting several development studios. Despite Microsoft's claims that AI is changing how work is done, the company's stock price has seen a decline.
Xbox CEO Reflects On Massive Cuts: “We Simply Spread Ourselves Too Thin”
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma stated that the company spread itself too thin with various new ventures, leading to a lack of focus on the core business and resulting in significant layoffs and studio restructuring. Sharma indicated that the Xbox business is not currently healthy, necessitating these changes to address hardware challenges and accelerate necessary adjustments.
CEO admits Xbox sees three to 10 times lower margins than "comparable platform and publishing businesses" after Game Pass and multiplatform bets didn't pay off
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma announced a major restructuring for Microsoft's gaming division, including 3,200 job cuts by fiscal year 2027, citing profit margins that are significantly lower than comparable businesses. Sharma admitted that bets on Game Pass and multiplatform releases did not grow as expected, leading to a weakening of the core business and necessitating a reset. Several studios are being spun off or sold as part of this strategic shift.
The $69 Billion Hangover: Every Xbox Layoff Since The Activision Blizzard Merger
Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard for $68.7 billion has been followed by significant layoffs and studio closures within its Xbox division. These cuts, described by Xbox CEO Asha Sharma as a "reset" due to an unhealthy business, have impacted thousands of employees and led to the cancellation of several game projects across various studios since January 2024.
Here’s What’s Going On With Marvel’s Blade And Its Developer Amid Xbox “Reset”
Amidst Microsoft's business 'reset' involving layoffs and studio sales, the future of Arkane Lyon and its game Marvel's Blade is uncertain. The French studio is undergoing consultation, with potential outcomes ranging from sale to closure, impacting the development of the delayed and reportedly over-budget Blade game, which was announced in 2023 without gameplay footage.
Xbox layoffs: jobs lost at Bethesda, more reported at id Software
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma announced sweeping layoffs affecting approximately 3,200 employees, or 20% of the organization. Several studios, including Bethesda, Zenimax Online Studios, and id Software, have confirmed job losses, with up to half of the team working on The Elder Scrolls Online reportedly impacted. Five studios are being divested, with Double Fine and Compulsion Games becoming independent, and Ninja Theory and Undead Labs in the process of being acquired.
Xbox layoffs: jobs lost at Bethesda, more reported at id Software
Xbox has announced significant layoffs, impacting approximately 20% of its workforce, totaling 3,200 employees. Job losses have been confirmed at studios including Bethesda and id Software, with five studios being divested or acquired. This follows a recent round of voluntary redundancies and coincides with the start of Microsoft's financial year.
Bethesda Game Studios and ZeniMax hit hard by Xbox layoffs, says union
Microsoft's recent Xbox layoffs have significantly impacted Bethesda Game Studios and its parent company ZeniMax Media, with the Bethesda Game Workers Union reporting that many employees have been let go. Reports indicate that studios like id Software and ZeniMax Online Studios are also cutting a substantial number of staff. These reductions are part of a broader reorganization across various Microsoft gaming divisions to focus on higher priority projects.
Arkane temporarily spared in Xbox bloodbath thanks to French law, but its future is up in the air
Arkane Lyon is reportedly entering negotiations for an independent exit from Xbox due to French labor laws, which prevent immediate layoffs. While the studio's future, including the development of Marvel's Blade, is uncertain, these laws offer a different path compared to the abrupt closures of other Xbox studios like Arkane Austin. Negotiations could still result in significant layoffs at Arkane Lyon.
Four Xbox Studios Are Leaving Microsoft As Arkane Lyon Faces Uncertain Future
Microsoft's Xbox division is undergoing significant restructuring, leading to layoffs and the sale of several studios including Ninja Theory and Undead Labs. Double Fine and Compulsion Games are becoming independent, while Arkane Lyon's future remains uncertain.