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Xbox cutting 3,200 jobs and parting ways with Double Fine, Compulsion, Ninja Theory, and Undead Labs
Microsoft has initiated a significant restructure of its Xbox division, eliminating 3,200 jobs and parting ways with four studios: Double Fine, Compulsion Games, Ninja Theory, and Undead Labs. New Xbox CEO Asha Sharma stated the cuts are necessary due to underperforming bets on Xbox Game Pass and multiplatform releases, as well as a severe hardware crisis impacting component prices. The company aims to streamline operations, reduce management layers, and foster a more efficient development environment.
Xbox to reduce workforce by 3,200, five studios to be divested
Xbox announced significant workforce reductions affecting 3,200 employees and the divestment of five studios: Compulsion Games, Double Fine, Ninja Theory, Undead Labs, and Arkane. Compulsion Games and Double Fine will become independent, while Ninja Theory and Undead Labs are set for new ownership to continue development on their respective projects. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma stated the company is refocusing its strategy, acknowledging that it cannot be the best home for every studio.
Microsoft announces 3200 layoffs and four studio departures in "most significant" Xbox restructuring in history
Microsoft has announced a significant restructuring of its Xbox division, including approximately 3,200 layoffs and the departure of four studios. Compulsion Games and Double Fine Productions will become independent, while Ninja Theory and Undead Labs are seeking new ownership. Arkane Studios is also under review. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma cited business performance and industry challenges as reasons for the changes.
Xbox Layoffs, Studio Closures, And Spin-Offs: Everything Announced Today
Microsoft has announced significant layoffs and studio restructuring within its Xbox division, impacting 3,200 employees over the current financial year, with 1,600 layoffs starting immediately. Several studios, including Compulsion Games and Double Fine Productions, are transitioning back to independent management, while others like Ninja Theory and Undead Labs are seeking new ownership. The company cited financial underperformance and a need to reset its strategy, focusing investment on higher-priority games and core IPs.
Resetting XBOX
Xbox is undergoing its most significant restructure in history, involving approximately 3,200 job reductions throughout fiscal year 2027, with 1,600 roles eliminated immediately. Four studios, including Compulsion Games and Double Fine Productions, will transition to independent management, while Ninja Theory and Undead Labs are in terms to join new ownership. This strategic reset aims to improve profitability and focus on core businesses, with a simplified organizational structure and a new Chief Operating Officer, Helen Chiang, overseeing operations.
State of Decay 3 Could Skip Game Pass, Third-Party Funding Still Lives – Rumor
A report suggests that State of Decay 3 might not be a day one release on Xbox Game Pass, despite Xbox funding its development, as Undead Labs is reportedly under new ownership. The article also touches on the shifting priorities at Xbox regarding Game Pass funding for third-party developers and the perceived underinvestment in the Minecraft IP.
Xbox Layoffs Won’t Stop Work on Doom, Quake and Wolfenstein
Despite significant layoffs impacting Xbox and its ZeniMax Media subsidiaries, work on franchises like Doom, Quake, and Wolfenstein will continue. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma confirmed that ZeniMax will not be reduced to only developing Fallout and The Elder Scrolls. The company is also undergoing management restructuring to streamline decision-making processes.
Xbox Appoints Helen Chiang as COO, Studios to Only Have Maximum of 5 Management Layers
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma announced significant changes to the division's operational structure, including reducing management layers to a maximum of five and appointing Helen Chiang as the new Chief Operating Officer. These changes follow recent layoffs affecting approximately 1,200 employees, with plans for further reductions. The restructuring aims to streamline workflows, improve accountability, and refocus investment for future growth, while four studios—Ninja Theory, Compulsion Games, Double Fine Productions, and Undead Labs—are being released from Xbox.
Xbox Announces 3,200 Layoffs for Fiscal Year 2027, Four Studios to be Released
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma announced significant layoffs affecting approximately 3,200 employees, with 1,600 layoffs occurring immediately. Four studios—Ninja Theory, Compulsion Games, Double Fine Productions, and Undead Labs—are being released. Sharma cited lower-than-comparable margins and industry hardware challenges as reasons for the restructuring, aiming to reset Xbox's business focus.
Top 20 Minecraft 1.18 Seeds
This guide presents a list of top Minecraft 1.18 seeds, highlighting unique terrain generation, biomes, and structures such as villages, ruined portals, and caves. The article details specific seeds with coordinates and notable features, emphasizing the enhanced world generation introduced in the Caves and Cliffs update.
Which player-made build do you want to see in A Minecraft Movie Squared? It's time to pick.
Mojang is allowing the Minecraft community to vote on which player-created build will be featured in the upcoming movie sequel, A Minecraft Movie: Squared. The final three submissions are 'Lightning Rod Lighthouse,' 'Copper Badlands Castle,' and 'Tree Village.' Players can cast their vote within the Minecraft Bedrock Edition until July 6.
Are these the 100 most influential games of all time?
Kitfox Games CEO Tanya Short discusses a list of the 100 most influential video games of all time, compiled by professional game designers. The list, assembled through the Polaris game design retreat, aims to serve as a tool for designers to improve their craft and create influential games.
Private Minecraft servers are "Illegal," according to an ESA official
An official from the Entertainment Software Association stated that private Minecraft servers are illegal and considered piracy, despite Microsoft's encouragement of community servers. Minecraft's creator, Markus Persson, criticized the ESA's stance, while Microsoft and Mojang Studios have not officially commented.
Quoteworthy
The creator of Minecraft, Markus 'Notch' Persson, has spoken out against the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), calling their stance on private servers 'illegal'. This statement comes amid ongoing discussions about intellectual property rights and server hosting for popular games.
ESA VP calls Minecraft Community Servers “illegal,” which is an impressively stupid thing to say in an industry full of impressively stupid things already
An Entertainment Software Association VP called Minecraft community servers "illegal," a statement widely criticized as inaccurate and damaging. While individual servers can violate EULAs, the concept of community servers is officially supported by Mojang and Microsoft. This statement occurred during a California Senate committee hearing opposing the Protect Our Games Act, which aims to ensure players retain access to games after services shut down.
Minecraft servers are apparently "illegal," according to the Vice President of America's biggest gaming association
Jennifer Gibbons, Vice President of the Entertainment Software Association, stated that community-run Minecraft servers are "illegal" and akin to "piracy" during a California State Senate hearing. This statement contradicts Microsoft and Mojang's official promotion and support of community servers for the game. The hearing was regarding Assembly Bill 1921, which aims to protect players' access to server-dependent games.
Minecraft's new, free inventory-expanding backpack has been eating players' loot
A new free Herschel Backpack add-on for Minecraft, which offers 384 inventory slots, is reportedly causing players to lose their items. Some users have experienced their entire backpack contents vanishing after logging out and back in, even with the soul-bound upgrade. Mojang has acknowledged the bug, which remains unresolved.
You can put Minecraft's gorgeous new biome and building blocks to the test right now
Mojang has released Game Drop Three for Minecraft, introducing the new Dappled Forest biome and various building materials. Players can test the update now in the latest Bedrock preview and Java snapshot builds, featuring Poplar Wood, Wool Stairs and Slabs, and Shelf Mushrooms.
Minecraft's new IRL backpack comes with a game-changing update to your inventory
Minecraft has partnered with Herschel Supply for a new line of backpacks, including a special in-game add-on available for free on the Minecraft Marketplace. This 'Herschel Backpack Trials Add-On' significantly expands player inventory with features like Auto Sort and Auto Restock, and can be upgraded to 288 total slots. The add-on is exclusive to Minecraft Bedrock edition.
Mojang says that Minecraft Dungeons 2 has more overt "callbacks to vanilla Minecraft" than the last ARPG it…
Minecraft Dungeons 2 aims to strengthen its connection to the core Minecraft experience with more "callbacks" and an expanded item rarity system. Design director Laura de Llorens highlighted changes like an interconnected world, four rarity tiers (Common, Rare, Special, Unique), and a more robust character customization system with four armor slots. The game is set to release on September 29, 2026, for PC, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox Series X.
