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After Microsoft's latest bloodbath, former Blizzard president Mike Ybarra offers "props to Xbox" for dismantling Halo Studios: "The best decision to reset Halo"
Following significant layoffs at Microsoft's Xbox division, former Blizzard president Mike Ybarra praised the company's decision to move the Halo intellectual property to Activision, calling it a positive reset for the franchise. The article notes that hundreds of Xbox employees were laid off, and Halo Studios has been reduced to a small support team as Activision takes over future Halo game development.
What Is Xbox Game Studios At This Point?
Recent changes and layoffs within Xbox have led to a significant restructuring of its studios, questioning the identity and purpose of the 'Xbox Game Studios' brand. With only four studios remaining under its direct banner and others absorbed into Bethesda or Activision Blizzard, the publisher's internal structure has become complex and its future branding uncertain.
Halo Studios didn't have the chance to launch even one original title before Xbox decided to let Call of Duty…
Microsoft has shut down Halo Studios (formerly 343 Industries) after 268 layoffs, with the Halo franchise now being transferred to Activision. The studio never launched an original title, only a remake of Halo: Campaign Evolved, before its closure. This move is part of broader restructuring within Xbox Game Studios, which has seen significant cuts across multiple developers.
Xbox Layoffs Are Not Done Yet
Microsoft has announced an additional 268 layoffs within its Xbox division as part of a broader business reset. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma cited factors like underperforming Game Pass investments and industry hardware crises for the restructuring. Further staff reductions are expected as the company continues its overhaul.
Call Of Duty creators Activision to make next Halo game as Xbox confirm layoffs
Microsoft has confirmed significant layoffs and studio restructuring within its Xbox division, including the closure of Ninja Theory. Activision will now develop the next Halo game, while 343 Industries will focus on supporting existing titles. This move comes amidst broader industry trends of layoffs and consolidation, with other studios like Rare and Bethesda also undergoing shifts in oversight.
Activision was playing the long game – the Call of Duty dev lost a bidding war to acquire Rare over 20 years ago,…
Activision is now the home of Rare, 24 years after Xbox outbid the publisher for the studio in 2002. This move comes as part of Microsoft's recent reshuffling and job cuts. Rare, known for titles like Sea of Thieves and the Banjo-Kazooie series, now falls under the Activision banner alongside other classic platforming icons.
"I'm still blown away by the amount of talent": Hellblade devs Ninja Theory face closure after Microsoft fail to reach a deal with buyers
Microsoft is proposing to close Ninja Theory after failing to find a buyer for the studio, which was put up for sale earlier this year as part of broader Xbox layoffs. While Undead Labs was successfully sold, two separate agreements for Ninja Theory fell through, leading to this proposed closure. Former and current developers have expressed devastation and respect for the studio's talent, lamenting the potential loss of future projects.
What the hell are you guys doing?
The author expresses strong criticism towards Microsoft's decision to place Obsidian Entertainment under Bethesda Softworks, questioning the logic and potential negative impact on both studios' legacies and developers. The move is seen as a baffling addition of bureaucracy and a sign of executive incompetence, especially following other industry layoffs and the closure of Tango Gameworks.
Activision will develop the next Halo game
Xbox has restructured its Halo studios, rebranding 343 Industries as Halo Studios and pivoting its focus to community support. Activision will now develop the next Halo title. This change accompanies significant layoffs within Xbox's gaming divisions.
Hellblade developer Ninja Theory and Arkane Studios face closure in Xbox cuts
Microsoft has confirmed significant layoffs across its Xbox studios, leading to the potential closure of Ninja Theory and uncertainty for Arkane Studios. These cuts are part of a larger 'reset' for Xbox, impacting nearly 300 jobs and casting doubt on the future of projects like Hellblade 3 and Marvel's Blade.
Activision Is Making The Next Halo Game, Halo Studios Shifts To Support Role
Activision is now in charge of developing the next Halo game, with Halo Studios being reduced to a support role. This significant shake-up by Microsoft also involves job losses and major changes for the franchise.
Xbox’s Forza Studios Have Been Tag-Teaming For Years. Now They’re Becoming One
Microsoft's Xbox division is merging its Forza developers, Playground Games and Turn 10 Studios, into a single entity after years of collaboration. This move formalizes their partnership, with both studios having a long history of developing titles in the Forza series and other franchises like Fable. The announcement comes amidst broader job cuts within Xbox, raising concerns about potential layoffs at the newly merged studio.
"Good luck today, Halo friends": After years of rivalry, Call of Duty's creators have taken charge of Xbox's defining FPS series amid yet more layoffs
Microsoft has significantly restructured its Xbox gaming division, placing the Halo franchise under Activision's development leadership while demoting Halo Studios to a support role. This move is accompanied by substantial layoffs affecting 268 employees across various first-party studios, including Halo Studios. The article highlights the historical rivalry between Halo and Call of Duty and expresses concern for the affected employees.
State Of Decay 3 Lives On, And Is Still Coming To Game Pass
Microsoft has confirmed that Undead Labs, the developer of State of Decay 3, has reached an agreement with a new publisher, ensuring the game's continued development. The title will still launch day-one on Xbox Game Pass when it is ready. This news follows a period of studio reshuffles within Microsoft Game Studios, with several other studios also finding new publishing arrangements.
Xbox lays off 268 more employees, merges Obsidian into Bethesda, and puts Activision in charge of Halo
Xbox has announced another round of layoffs, cutting 268 employees and reorganizing several studios. Activision will now oversee the development of the next Halo game, while Obsidian Entertainment is being merged into Bethesda. Other studios like Playground Games and Turn 10 Studios are also being formally merged.
Xbox's consolidation plans might mean you get a new Halo sooner, but history shows production line development makes for boring games
Xbox's strategy of consolidating studios and pushing for more frequent releases, exemplified by the Activision Blizzard acquisition and changes to the Halo team, risks creating a future of formulaic and uninspired games. The author argues that while such consolidation might seem efficient, history shows that annual releases and a focus on existing franchises often stifle creativity and lead to a homogenization of game design, potentially resulting in a less exciting gaming landscape.
Xbox lay off 268 people as Activision take over Halo and Rare, while Obsidian become part of Bethesda, plus Forza and Fable studios merge
Xbox has announced further layoffs, cutting 268 jobs and restructuring several studios. Activision is taking over the Halo franchise, while Rare and World's Edge are folded under its umbrella. Obsidian Entertainment is now part of Bethesda, and Playground Games and Turn 10 Studios have merged. Ninja Theory is facing potential closure, and the future of Arkane Studios remains uncertain.
Activision tar över Halo och Bethesda börjar bossa över Obsidian
Microsoft has announced a significant restructuring of its gaming division, including the closure of Ninja Theory and the merger of Playground Games with Turn 10 Studios. Activision will take over development of the Halo series, while Bethesda Softworks will oversee Obsidian Entertainment. This follows recent layoffs and studio departures within Xbox.
Xbox confirms 268 more layoffs, further studio closures, and Obsidian's shift to Bethesda as major restructuring continues
Xbox has confirmed 268 additional layoffs and further studio closures as part of its ongoing restructuring. This follows previous significant job cuts, with some studios facing proposed closure and others being reorganized under different leadership, including Bethesda overseeing Obsidian Entertainment.
Xbox continues 'reset' with Halo Studios layoffs and Undead Labs divestment
Xbox has announced further layoffs, cutting 268 employees from various first-party studios including Halo Studios. This is part of a larger restructuring plan that has already seen divestments of studios like Undead Labs and Compulsion Games, and the proposed closure of Ninja Theory. Xbox is also consolidating internal studios and shifting development responsibilities, with Activision now set to develop the next Halo title.
