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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.
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.
Games Inbox: What is the best Nintendo game of 2026?
Readers discuss the best Nintendo games of 2026, with Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave emerging as a strong contender. Concerns are raised about the high cost of current-generation consoles like the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5, and their potential impact on the industry's future. The discussion also touches on the evolution of graphics, digital versus physical media, and the ongoing debate about console generations.
Xbox Game Pass’s Newest Wave Is Headlined By A Huge Final Fantasy Adventure
Xbox Game Pass has revealed its second wave of October game additions, headlined by Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade and its Yuffie expansion. The service will also add Sandustry, Dodo Duckie, Scramble Knights Online, The Séance of Blake Manor, Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted, and Terrible Lizards throughout the month. November's lineup will include Pit of Goblin.
Innersloth co-founder warns devs: 'there are some very bad deals out there'
Innersloth co-founder Forest Willard is warning indie developers about predatory publishing deals in the industry. He has reviewed numerous contracts that he describes as 'truly abysmal' and not conducive to developers making money on their games. Willard expressed frustration with the current state of dealmaking, urging caution for developers entering into publishing agreements.
Xbox Game Pass Is Losing 8 More Games In October
Xbox Game Pass is removing eight games from its library on October 31st, including several LucasArts classics like Full Throttle Remastered and Day of the Tentacle Remastered, as well as Deep Rock Galactic and Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga. Players have the option to purchase these titles at a discount before they are removed.
The pleasures of Double Fine's Thank You Bus Driver are not in the destination, nor the journey, but in slapping my disobedient passengers
Double Fine's Thank You Bus Driver is a chaotic three-hour public transport simulation that focuses on player interaction with unruly passengers. The game encourages players to physically discipline passengers, with success measured by 'Thank Yous.' Despite its comedic elements and engaging gameplay loop, the article notes a potential for cynical design choices and a lack of long-term replayability.
Double Fine har nu släppt galna Thank You Bus Driver
Double Fine has released a new, smaller game titled Thank You Bus Driver under their Double Fine Action Labs label. The game puts players in the role of a bus driver in a black-and-white cartoon world, tasking them with reaching stops quickly while managing unruly passengers and adapting to changing rules. Creative driving is encouraged, with positive reviews noting its smaller scope.
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.
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.
This week in PC games: play a human-eating Katamari from outer space, take over a nature reserve in Planet Zoo 2, and battle Napoleonic body horror in Valor Mortis
This week in PC games features a variety of new and upcoming titles, including Planet Zoo 2, Valor Mortis with Napoleonic body horror, and a Katamari-like tentacle rolling game. Other notable mentions include a stealth game, a strategy game, a sheep herding simulator, and a space whale city builder.
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.
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.
Xbox Was At An “All Time Low,” But Is Now Growing Again After Huge Cuts, CEO Says
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma stated that the company is experiencing renewed growth after significant layoffs and studio closures, calling it a "return to growth" after an "all time low." She also discussed future hardware plans, including a "family of devices" for the next generation, and confirmed that Xbox is not for sale despite recent restructuring efforts.