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'I cannot do my job when Microsoft refuses to do theirs', say Xbox union workers as destructive reset looms from a company that spent over $80 billion on AI last year
Unionized workers at Microsoft and its subsidiaries are speaking out against the company's pattern of layoffs and studio closures, despite significant investments in AI and high executive pay. Employees express frustration over job insecurity, feeling expendable despite hard work and successful projects. They argue that Microsoft has the financial resources to protect its workforce, citing billions invested in AI and recent console price increases, and are demanding better treatment and transparency.
Modern Warfare 4 is coming to Xbox Game Pass, but not for a long time
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 will be available on Xbox Game Pass starting in Holiday 2027, a year after its October 23, 2026 release date. While previous Call of Duty titles launched day one on Game Pass, Modern Warfare 4 will require a separate purchase for day-one access. This decision comes as Microsoft aims to boost sales for the new installment amidst ongoing studio closures and cost-cutting measures.
007 developer suffers layoffs and Blade faces cancellation as Xbox cuts funding
Microsoft is reportedly considering closing at least five studios, including Arkane Studios, which is working on Marvel's Blade, and has pulled funding for IO Interactive's Project Fantasy. These cuts follow Xbox boss Asha Sharma's promise of a company 'reset' and are expected to lead to significant layoffs. While Arkane's Blade is at risk of cancellation due to budget overruns, IO Interactive remains committed to Project Fantasy despite the funding setback.
007 First Light studio IOI facing layoffs as Xbox pulls funding for Project Fantasy RPG
Xbox has withdrawn funding and publishing support for IO Interactive's online fantasy RPG, Project Fantasy. This decision will lead to layoffs at the Hitman and 007 First Light developer. Xbox stated they are re-evaluating investments to focus on their highest priorities, though they maintain their overall investment in games remains the same.
Microsoft Is Reminding Xbox Game Pass Members That They'll Have to Buy Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 if They Want to Play Day One
Microsoft is informing Xbox Game Pass subscribers that Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 will not be included in the service at launch. Players who wish to play the game on day one will need to purchase it separately.
Dishonored developer Arkane is reportedly one of five studios Microsoft is targeting to close down as part of its big 'reset'
Microsoft is reportedly considering closing down Arkane Studios, the developer of the Dishonored series and Marvel's Blade, as part of a major 'reset' plan for its Xbox division. Arkane is among five studios, including Compulsion Games, Ninja Theory, Double Fine, and Undead Labs, whose futures are uncertain. The company is also planning significant layoffs, potentially affecting over 1,000 jobs, with cost-cutting measures impacting various parts of the division.
Xbox claim they're "not reducing [their] investment in games" despite looming cuts, as report claims under 2.5% of Microsoft's total workforce are in the firing line
Despite reports of potential studio cuts and funding deal withdrawals, Xbox asserts it is not reducing its overall investment in game development. A new report indicates that planned Microsoft layoffs will affect less than 2.5% of the company's total workforce, with cuts expected early next week.
How to build an Xbox game night for every kind of player
This guide provides advice on hosting a successful Xbox game night for players of all skill levels and preferences. It emphasizes selecting a variety of games, structuring the evening in rounds, and accommodating both active players and spectators. The article also touches on practical tips like food choices, room setup, and utilizing services like Game Pass.
Uppsägningar hos Io Interactive när Xbox drar in finansiering
Io Interactive has announced layoffs due to the termination of a partnership with an external party for their fantasy RPG, 'Project Fantasy'. Bloomberg reports that Microsoft, which was set to be the financier and publisher, has withdrawn its support. While the project is not canceled, its future is uncertain without external funding. Xbox stated that their investment strategy is shifting, not decreasing overall.
Games Inbox: Will there be a definitive PS6 version of GTA 6?
Readers discuss the potential for Grand Theft Auto 6 to be released on the PlayStation 6, speculating on performance and exclusivity deals with Sony and Rockstar Games. Other topics include the possibility of a Dead Rising 2 Deluxe Remaster, the future of Nintendo Switch 2's lineup, and the financial implications of Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard.
IO Interactive Layoffs: Xbox Pulls Project Fantasy Funding — Too Much Gaming | Video Games Reviews, News, & Guides
IO Interactive is continuing work on Project Fantasy despite Xbox pulling its funding, and will now seek alternative funding or self-publish. This is part of a larger "reset" at Xbox under new CEO Asha Sharma, with reports indicating several studios like Ninja Theory, Compulsion Games, Undead Labs, Arkane, and Double Fine are in talks to avoid closure. Xbox is reassessing its investment priorities to better fund its existing franchises and ensure a reliable pipeline of exclusive content.
Evening Reading - July 30, 2026
This article rounds up various gaming news items from July 30, 2026. Highlights include a live-action Persona adaptation for Netflix, a fall 2026 release window for Cyberpunk Edgerunners 2, and SECI Interactive warning of staffing decisions after Microsoft pulled out of publishing Project Fantasy. It also touches on esports events like EVO 2026 for 2XKO and mentions updates for games like Battlefield 6 and Turok: Origin.
Microsoft Won't Publish IOI's Project Fantasy
IO Interactive announced the end of a partnership with an external party regarding their fantasy-themed online RPG, Project Fantasy. Microsoft will not be publishing the game, which was initially revealed in 2023.
IO Interactive’s Project Fantasy Faces Layoffs After Xbox Ends Partnership
IO Interactive has announced layoffs due to Project Fantasy and the end of a partnership with an external party, confirmed to be Xbox. Despite the staffing changes and the partnership's conclusion, the company remains committed to the online fantasy role-playing game. This situation mirrors other projects that faced upheaval after Xbox ended partnerships, though Project Fantasy is not cancelled.
More Expensive Consoles Don’t Result in Better Games, Says Former Naughty Dog Artist
Former Naughty Dog artist Del Walker argues that more expensive next-generation consoles will not lead to better games, citing ballooning development costs and complexity. He suggests that limitations foster creativity and that rising budgets contribute to layoffs. Sony Interactive Entertainment president Hideaki Nishino acknowledged that absorbing component cost increases is unrealistic, hinting at potential price hikes.
Private Minecraft servers are "illegal," game industry lobbyists declare as another Stop Killing Games effort…
The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has declared private Minecraft servers illegal, arguing they infringe on Microsoft's intellectual property rights and lack safety standards. This statement comes as the 'Stop Killing Games' campaign faces setbacks with the failure of the Protect Our Games Act in California and similar legislative inaction in the EU. Despite these challenges, 'Stop Killing Games' remains determined to pursue legislation for community server support.
ESA Tries To Walk Back Calling Private and Community Servers Illegal
The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has walked back its earlier statements calling private and community game servers illegal. Initially, the ESA's vice president stated that unauthorized servers are illegal and akin to piracy. However, the ESA has since clarified that while unauthorized servers infringe on intellectual property rights, publishers may approach enforcement differently, and they are concerned about the lack of publisher oversight and safety standards on such servers.
Xbox pulls funding for 007 First Light dev's new fantasy RPG, prompting layoffs as Microsoft insists "we're not reducing our overall investment in games"
Xbox has withdrawn funding for IO Interactive's upcoming online fantasy RPG, Project Fantasy, leading to layoffs at the developer. Microsoft stated that while overall investment in games remains the same, the company is shifting its investment focus. IO Interactive confirmed its commitment to completing the game despite the funding change.
Possible Layoffs At IO Interactive As Xbox Pulls Out Of Funding Deal For “Project Fantasy”
IO Interactive has reportedly scrapped its "Project Fantasy" game after Microsoft withdrew funding for the deal. The studio is expected to downsize, though it hopes to revive the project in the future. This comes after the success of their title "007 First Light."
Fresh off of dumping on Xbox's flailing, former Sony exec says PlayStation's pullback from PC releases…
Former Sony executive Shawn Layden criticized both Xbox's strategy and Sony's recent pullback from releasing games on PC. He argued that bringing PlayStation titles to PC was crucial for brand awareness across other media, even if it didn't directly lead to hardware sales. The discussion also touches on the current strength of the PC market and Microsoft's continued commitment to PC releases for its exclusives.
