Undead Labs
Undead Labs business and news from across the web.
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.
"We simply spread ourselves too thin" – Xbox's Asha Sharma on firm's restructuring plansXbox CEO Asha Sharma detailed the company's restructuring plans, which include 3,200 layoffs and the divestment of five internal studios: Compulsion Games, Double Fine, Ninja Theory, Undead Labs, and Arkane Lyon. Sharma stated that Xbox "spread itself too thin" with various bets, leading to a weakening of its core business and a need to streamline management and refocus resources.
What exactly is going on with Marvel's Blade? Arkane Lyon's fate remains unclear in the wake of Xbox's controversial 'reset'Microsoft's Xbox division is undergoing significant layoffs and studio restructuring, impacting Arkane Lyon and its in-development game, Marvel's Blade. While the studio is in consultation due to French labor laws, reports suggest Blade is safe from cancellation despite being over-budget and internally delayed. Todd Howard of Bethesda Game Studios recently expressed positive impressions of the game.
State of Decay 3 may no longer launch into Game Pass, now that Microsoft is letting developer Undead Labs goState of Decay 3 may no longer launch day one on Game Pass following Microsoft's sale of developer Undead Labs. While Microsoft will continue to fund the game's development until its 2027 release on PC and consoles, the sale agreement frees the studio from "Xbox-controlling terms." The new owner of Undead Labs, to be revealed this summer, will decide the game's distribution, potentially requiring a new deal with Xbox for a Game Pass launch.
Zenimax omorganiseras för att fokusera på sina stora varumärkenZeniMax Media is undergoing a significant restructuring to concentrate on its major franchises like The Elder Scrolls, Fallout, Wolfenstein, Doom, and Quake. This reorganization follows recent layoffs at Xbox and involves some studios becoming independent or being sold, though ZeniMax itself retains its studios.
Xbox to cut 3200 jobs in the new financial yearMicrosoft's Xbox division is undergoing its most significant restructure in history, with approximately 3,200 jobs being cut over the next fiscal year, including 1,600 immediately. Five game development studios are also departing, with Double Fine and Compulsion Games becoming independent, while Ninja Theory, Undead Labs, and Arkane Studios are in various stages of negotiation or consultation for new ownership. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma cited unhealthy business margins and a strategic shift towards AI investment as reasons for the cuts.
Games Inbox: Is the Xbox doomed to failure?Readers express concerns about the future of Xbox, citing recent studio closures and a reliance on aging franchises like Halo and Gears of War. The discussion also touches on the shift towards digital-only games, the impact on game preservation, and the potential for companies like Sony to influence Kickstarter campaigns.
Xbox CEO Says “We Simply Spread Ourselves Too Thin” Following LayoffsXbox CEO Asha Sharma stated that the division "spread ourselves too thin" by making numerous unsuccessful bets, leading to recent layoffs affecting approximately 1,600 employees. As part of a restructuring, four studios are being let go, with Compulsion Games and Double Fine Productions becoming independent, and Undead Labs and Ninja Theory being sold. Sharma also confirmed further job cuts are planned and announced organizational changes, including a new COO, Helen Chiang.
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.
Compulsion Games and Double Fine confirm "Independence Day" from XboxCompulsion Games and Double Fine have confirmed their return to independent management following significant layoffs and studio divestitures at Xbox. Compulsion Games will retain the rights to its titles, including We Happy Few and South of Midnight, while Double Fine also regains ownership of its games. This news comes as part of broader restructuring within Xbox's gaming division, affecting multiple studios.
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 union blasts Microsoft as Xbox layoffs hit the Fallout and Elder Scrolls studio, too: "When will this cycle of cuts in pursuit of ever-greater profits end?"Microsoft has initiated significant layoffs across its Xbox division, impacting Bethesda Game Studios and other developers. The Bethesda Game Studios Union expressed frustration over the recurring cuts, highlighting the impact on long-term employees and calling for an end to profit-driven redundancies. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma cited weak operating margins and underperforming investments as reasons for the restructuring, which includes potential strategic shifts for studios like Arkane.
“Catastrophic Mismanagement” And AI Gambits Led To Mass Xbox Layoffs, Expert SaysAn expert attributes the recent mass layoffs at Microsoft, including 3,200 at Xbox, to "catastrophic mismanagement" by CEO Satya Nadella and the company's AI strategies. The article suggests that AI investments are not yielding sufficient returns, leading to cost-cutting measures that also involve divesting several development studios. Despite Microsoft's claims that AI is changing how work is done, the company's stock price has seen a decline.- Xbox CEO Reflects On Massive Cuts: “We Simply Spread Ourselves Too Thin”Xbox CEO Asha Sharma stated that the company spread itself too thin with various new ventures, leading to a lack of focus on the core business and resulting in significant layoffs and studio restructuring. Sharma indicated that the Xbox business is not currently healthy, necessitating these changes to address hardware challenges and accelerate necessary adjustments.
CEO admits Xbox sees three to 10 times lower margins than "comparable platform and publishing businesses" after Game Pass and multiplatform bets didn't pay offXbox CEO Asha Sharma announced a major restructuring for Microsoft's gaming division, including 3,200 job cuts by fiscal year 2027, citing profit margins that are significantly lower than comparable businesses. Sharma admitted that bets on Game Pass and multiplatform releases did not grow as expected, leading to a weakening of the core business and necessitating a reset. Several studios are being spun off or sold as part of this strategic shift.- The $69 Billion Hangover: Every Xbox Layoff Since The Activision Blizzard MergerMicrosoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard for $68.7 billion has been followed by significant layoffs and studio closures within its Xbox division. These cuts, described by Xbox CEO Asha Sharma as a "reset" due to an unhealthy business, have impacted thousands of employees and led to the cancellation of several game projects across various studios since January 2024.
- Here’s What’s Going On With Marvel’s Blade And Its Developer Amid Xbox “Reset”Amidst Microsoft's business 'reset' involving layoffs and studio sales, the future of Arkane Lyon and its game Marvel's Blade is uncertain. The French studio is undergoing consultation, with potential outcomes ranging from sale to closure, impacting the development of the delayed and reportedly over-budget Blade game, which was announced in 2023 without gameplay footage.
- Undead Labs Reportedly Won't Be Required to Bring State of Decay 3 to Xbox Game Pass After Microsoft SaleUndead Labs may not be required to launch State of Decay 3 on Xbox Game Pass following its acquisition by Microsoft. The studio is continuing development on the zombie survival sequel.
Xbox layoffs: jobs lost at Bethesda, more reported at id SoftwareXbox CEO Asha Sharma announced sweeping layoffs affecting approximately 3,200 employees, or 20% of the organization. Several studios, including Bethesda, Zenimax Online Studios, and id Software, have confirmed job losses, with up to half of the team working on The Elder Scrolls Online reportedly impacted. Five studios are being divested, with Double Fine and Compulsion Games becoming independent, and Ninja Theory and Undead Labs in the process of being acquired.- Xbox layoffs: jobs lost at Bethesda, more reported at id SoftwareXbox has announced significant layoffs, impacting approximately 20% of its workforce, totaling 3,200 employees. Job losses have been confirmed at studios including Bethesda and id Software, with five studios being divested or acquired. This follows a recent round of voluntary redundancies and coincides with the start of Microsoft's financial year.