Mojang
Mojang business and news from across the web.
Matthew Ball was hired to help fix Xbox. Will gamers like what he prescribes?Analyst Matthew Ball has been hired by Xbox as chief strategy officer to help revitalize the company's business. Ball, a proponent of the metaverse and user-generated content, is expected to influence Xbox's future direction, potentially drawing inspiration from platforms like Roblox and Epic Games' Unreal Engine. This comes as Xbox undergoes significant restructuring, including layoffs and studio closures.- Xbox After The Layoffs: Studios Left And What They’re MakingXbox has undergone significant restructuring, including layoffs and the divestment of five studios, as it aims to increase profitability and focus on major intellectual properties. This shake-up impacts numerous development teams and projects across Xbox Game Studios, Activision, Blizzard, and Bethesda, with a renewed focus on core franchises and a shift in business strategies like the exclusion of Call of Duty from Xbox Game Pass day-one launches.
Xbox needs to make a choice, says former PlayStation leader Shawn Layden: be a publisher or a platform, but you can't be bothFormer PlayStation leader Shawn Layden argues that Xbox must choose between being a major game publisher or a platform holder, stating it cannot effectively be both. He highlights the need for exclusive content to support a platform, contrasting it with the multiplatform approach required for a top publisher, a dilemma exacerbated by recent Xbox layoffs and strategic shifts.
"We mean business" - Bethesda union members to march in protest of sweeping Xbox job cutsBethesda Game Studios union members are planning protests against recent layoffs impacting Microsoft's Xbox division. The union criticizes Microsoft's framing of the cuts and asserts their legal right to bargain over the impact of these layoffs, demanding preferential transfers, stronger severance, and recall rights for affected workers. The layoffs have reportedly caused plummeting morale and may significantly affect the development of The Elder Scrolls 6.- MMO Business Roundup: Marathon’s lawsuit, the Sony petition, TGS 2026, and Minecraft’s fateThis MMO business roundup covers several key events, including the settlement of a lawsuit filed by former Marathon game director Christopher Barrett against Sony and Bungie. It also highlights an online petition by PNP Games urging Sony to continue supporting physical media, which has garnered a significant number of signatures. Additionally, Nexon announced its presence at Tokyo Game Show, and an article from Gamespot questions Microsoft's strategy for Minecraft's future, suggesting a focus on competing with Roblox could be detrimental.
YouTuber gets Minecraft running on an original Game Boy Color, and it even looks kinda playableYouTuber Game of Tobi has successfully ported Minecraft to the original Game Boy Color, creating a functional 3D version of the game. While not the full experience, the port allows players to walk around and break/place blocks. A black and white version also runs on the original Game Boy.
Report: Obsidian to work on Fallout title as unannounced projects cancelledObsidian Entertainment is reportedly developing a new Fallout game, led by Fallout: New Vegas director Josh Sawyer, as part of a wider Xbox restructuring that has led to the cancellation of several unannounced projects and layoffs. A small team will continue work on an Avowed sequel, while others focus on DLC for The Outer Worlds 2 and Grounded 2. This news follows a significant increase in Fallout game sales after the premiere of the Prime Video adaptation.
Microsoft, Please Don’t Ruin MinecraftMicrosoft's new CEO Asha Sharma is reportedly looking to increase investment in Minecraft, drawing comparisons to Roblox's business model. This shift, occurring amidst significant studio cuts within Xbox, raises concerns that Microsoft may alter Minecraft's core gameplay and creative freedom to boost profitability, potentially moving away from its established identity as a sandbox for crafting and survival.
After nearly 15 years, Minecraft finally lets us camp anywhere in its ever-generating worlds without resetting our spawnMinecraft's latest update for Bedrock Edition introduces Straw Beds, allowing players to sleep through the night and retain their spawn point without resetting it. These single-use beds can be crafted from Hay Bales or found in new Abandoned Camps, which also feature procedural trees. The update also adds craftable Cushions in 16 colors for decorative purposes.
Evening Reading - July 6, 2026The video game industry is facing significant challenges, with Microsoft confirming mass layoffs that will lead to Double Fine Productions and Compulsion Games becoming independent. Xbox has appointed Helen Chiang, head of Mojang Studios, as its first Chief Operating Officer. Additionally, Nintendo plans to discontinue original Switch consoles in Europe in 2027, while Microsoft is being sued in Wisconsin over data center practices.
The Gaming Industry Is Eating Itself AliveXbox is undergoing a massive restructuring, including 3,200 layoffs, impacting numerous studios and divisions like Activision, Bethesda, and Blizzard. While some studios regain independence and first-party projects remain safe for now, the article criticizes Xbox's overall strategy, citing Game Pass's performance and declining hardware revenue. The piece also touches on PlayStation's similar issues with digital ownership and preservation, painting a bleak picture for the future of gaming costs and ownership.
Report: The “majority” of ID software and up to half of Zenimax online have lost their jobsReports indicate significant layoffs across several Xbox-owned studios, including a majority of ID Software and up to half of ZeniMax Online Studios. These cuts affect teams working on titles like The Elder Scrolls Online, with roadmaps expected to shift. Other studios like Compulsion Games and Double Fine are reportedly going independent.
Bethesda Game Studios and ZeniMax hit hard by Xbox layoffs, says unionMicrosoft'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.- Microsoft Xbox is shedding 3200 games industry workers, Blizzard and ZeniMax are affectedMicrosoft's Xbox division is undergoing significant layoffs, cutting 3,200 jobs, which represents 20% of its workforce. Affected studios include Blizzard Entertainment and ZeniMax Media, with Ninja Theory, Undead Labs, Double Fine, and Compulsion Games being sold or divested. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma stated the business is not healthy and requires a reset, while acknowledging the unlikelihood of achieving a daily active user count of 1 billion.
Xbox Announces Biggest Restructure in Company History as Thousands of Jobs Are Cut | Invision Game CommunityXbox is undergoing its largest restructuring, involving approximately 3,200 job cuts and changes to its studio structure. Xbox President Asha Sharma stated the current business model is unsustainable due to increasing costs and slower-than-expected growth. Several studios like Compulsion Games and Double Fine Productions will become independent, while others like Ninja Theory and Undead Labs are expected to transition to new ownership.
Xbox acquisitions have been a disaster: "In a typical year, we lost 64 cents for every dollar we invested"Xbox CEO Asha Sharma revealed that Microsoft's aggressive acquisition strategy has resulted in significant financial losses, with the company losing 64 cents for every dollar invested in typical years since 2018. In response to this unsustainable model, Xbox is undergoing a reset, leading to layoffs and the divestment of several studios, including Compulsion Games, Double Fine, Ninja Theory, and Undead Labs, while others like Arkane Studios are reviewing strategic options.
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma wants the company to "entertain more than a billion people" every day: here's why that's a deeply unrealistic thing to sayXbox CEO Asha Sharma stated her ambition for the company to entertain over a billion people daily, a goal that significantly exceeds current industry peaks like Fortnite and Roblox. This statement follows news of Xbox studios splitting off and approximately 3,600 layoffs. While challenging, Sharma believes this can be achieved, potentially leveraging King's mobile success with Candy Crush to reach the ambitious target.
Xbox appoints Mojang Head of Studios Helen Chiang as its first COOXbox has appointed Helen Chiang, previously the Head of Studios at Mojang, as its first Chief Operating Officer. Chiang will report to CEO Asha Sharma and will be responsible for organizing Xbox's business and investments. This appointment comes as Xbox undergoes significant organizational changes, including studio restructuring and layoffs.
ZeniMax's pivot to big series amid Xbox cuts reportedly isn't a death knell for Doom, Quake and WolfensteinXbox has announced significant layoffs and studio restructuring, affecting studios like Double Fine and Arkane, while shifting focus towards established franchises such as Fallout and The Elder Scrolls for ZeniMax Media. Despite these changes, core series like Doom, Quake, and Wolfenstein will continue development. Mojang Studios will now report directly to CEO Asha Sharma, with increased investment planned for Minecraft.
Xbox cuts 3,200 staff as four studios to exit Microsoft – Arkane under reviewMicrosoft has announced significant layoffs affecting approximately 3,200 employees within its Xbox division, with 1,600 staff being let go immediately. Four studios, including Ninja Theory and Undead Labs, are becoming independent or being sold off, while Arkane Lyon's future is under review. This restructuring follows a period of rapid developer acquisitions and aims to refocus Xbox's business strategy.