Undead Labs
Undead Labs business and news from across the web.
Latest coverage
Games industry investors are "sitting on the sidelines waiting for obvious slam dunks", says Undead Labs boss, with labour costs a key worry
Undead Labs studio boss Philip Holt believes investors are hesitant to fund game development projects unless they are 'obvious slam dunks,' citing high labor costs, particularly in expensive regions like Seattle, as a major concern. He also discussed the studio's successful management buyout from Microsoft and its implications for the future of State of Decay 3.
State of Decay 3 Announced Early Because Studio Head Was Worried About Being “Swallowed Up” by Xbox
Undead Labs announced State of Decay 3 early to prevent the studio from being "swallowed up" by Microsoft's acquisition strategy. Studio head Philip Holt revealed that the decision was made to ensure their work would be recognized before potential divestment or being absorbed into a larger organization. The studio has since left the Microsoft umbrella, and development continues.
State of Decay 3 Studio Head Says He Was “Irresponsibly Transparent” With Team During Xbox Layoffs
Undead Labs studio head Philip Holt described his
Unlead Labs studio head says they were 'irresponsibly transparent' in preparing staff for layoffs
Undead Labs studio head Philip Holt stated that the studio was 'irresponsibly transparent' in preparing staff for layoffs following its divestiture from Xbox Game Studios. While the exact number of job losses was not confirmed, Holt emphasized that employees were informed about the likelihood of job cuts, which he believes was a courtesy despite the painful nature of the event. The studio is still working on State of Decay 3, with a projected 2027 release.
State of Decay 3 Was Revealed Early Partly Because of the Studio Boss' Anxiety Around Xbox's Plans
Undead Labs boss Philip Holt revealed that State of Decay 3 was announced early due to his own anxiety surrounding Xbox's future plans for the studio. This early reveal was intended to preemptively address potential concerns.
Report: Ninja Theory lays off workers after failing to spin off from Xbox
Ninja Theory is reportedly undergoing layoffs after Microsoft failed to find a buyer or a way to keep the studio operational under Xbox. The developer, acquired by Microsoft in 2018, has seen several employees post about their roles being at risk. This follows a broader "reset" within Xbox that led to 3200 job cuts and the successful divestiture of Undead Labs.
As Xbox swings the axe, Gears of War: E-Day developers fear they'll be laid off straight after launch - and right before they'd be due their bonuses
Developers at The Coalition, the studio behind Gears of War: E-Day, are increasingly fearful of imminent layoffs following recent waves of job cuts at Microsoft and Xbox. The departure of the game's story director has heightened anxiety, particularly concerning potential loss of Metacritic bonuses tied to the game's launch.
Xbox is “Not For Sale”, Will Take Long-Term View With Microsoft, Says CEO
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has stated that the division is not for sale, despite recent layoffs and studio divestments. Sharma acknowledged that Xbox has a long way to go with Microsoft and will take a long-term view for growth. The company is restructuring, consolidating studios, and divesting some, while also discussing the future of Arkane Lyon and merging teams like Turn 10 Studios with Playground Games.
Xbox’s New Mythic Achievements Will Show Exactly How Close You Are To 100%
Microsoft is rolling out Mythic Achievements for Xbox Insiders, a new system that awards players for unlocking all original achievements in a game, similar to PlayStation's Platinum Trophies. This feature will be retroactive and will include a new Gaming tab on player profiles to track progress. The rollout occurs amidst significant layoffs and restructuring within Microsoft's gaming division, impacting studios like Ninja Theory and Undead Labs.
Microsoft CEO says Xbox is simply 'streamlining' after cutting over 5,750 jobs in three years
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella described the company's extensive layoffs, which have affected over 5,750 employees since October 2023, as 'streamlining' under new Xbox boss Asha Sharma. Despite significant studio closures and job cuts, Nadella expressed confidence in Xbox's intellectual property and its ability to produce great games and achieve growth.
MMO Week in Review: Destiny 2’s revival, Aion 2’s stress test
This week's MMO news covers Destiny 2's revival with unvaulted content, Aion 2's stress test, and Ultima Online's 29th anniversary. Dune Awakening launched on consoles, Elder Scrolls Online discussed experimental features, and Microsoft continued layoffs. World of Warcraft Forever is impressing players, while other news includes The Division 2, Marathon, Warframe, and various other MMO updates and discussions.
Microsoft CEO says Xbox's "streamlining" is "great to see" despite cuts and layoffs
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella expressed optimism about Xbox's future and praised ongoing "streamlining" efforts led by Xbox CEO Asha Sharma, despite recent significant layoffs and studio closures. Nadella stated his confidence in Xbox's intellectual property and its ability to produce great games, while emphasizing the need for sustainable business models to reach more players.
Microsoft CEO says Xbox's 'streamlining' process is 'great to see' following its most recent…
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella commented on the recent Xbox layoffs and studio restructuring, describing the process as "great to see" and comparing it to streamlining a Formula 1 car. Despite significant job cuts and studio closures, Nadella expressed confidence in Xbox's intellectual property and its ability to grow as a publisher and platform provider across PC and Xbox consoles.
Betawatch: World of Warcraft Forever gets the beta explosion as Aion 2 cracks its doors open a bit
The beta for World of Warcraft Forever has launched with high player numbers, while Aion 2 has opened its doors for testing. The article also provides updates on State of Decay 3's development under an indie Undead Labs and Guild Wars 2's upcoming WvW map test. It serves as a weekly roundup of MMOs in various testing phases, including open betas, closed betas, and early access.
State of Decay 3 Studio Was Going to Be Acquired by Splash Damage Before Deal Fell Through – Rumor
Xbox is reportedly divesting four studios, including Undead Labs, developer of State of Decay 3. A rumored acquisition of Undead Labs by Splash Damage fell through, as did potential deals for Ninja Theory. These moves are part of a larger business "reset" by Xbox, which has also involved significant layoffs and studio reorganizations.
Xbox’s “Aggressive” Revenue Goals Were “Unrealistic” Even Before Layoffs, Says id Software Dev
An id Software developer revealed that Xbox's aggressive revenue goals are considered unrealistic and contributing to ongoing chaos and layoffs within the company. Despite attempts at communication, management's vision is perceived as lacking, with a strong focus on immediate profit increases. This sentiment is shared across studios, with morale sinking due to perceived incompetence.
Undead Labs confirms indie status, developer layoffs, and continued State of Decay 3 development
Undead Labs has officially separated from Microsoft and is now an independent, employee-owned studio. Development of State of Decay 3 continues, with the game slated for a 2027 release on Xbox, Game Pass, PlayStation 5, and PC. The transition to independence unfortunately involved an undisclosed number of layoffs.
Xbox Cuts Several Studios & Staff in Restructuring
Xbox is undergoing a significant restructuring, involving the elimination of 268 roles and the reorganization of several first-party studios. Activision will now oversee the next Halo game, while Playground Games and Turn 10 Studios will merge. Bethesda is absorbing Obsidian Entertainment, and Ninja Theory faces a proposed closure. These changes aim to reduce organizational complexity and concentrate resources on key franchises.
Age of Empires developer World's Edge hit with layoffs following move to Activision
The Age of Empires developer World's Edge has been significantly impacted by layoffs following its transition to Activision, with "just under half" of its employees affected. Former creative director Adam Isgreen was among those let go, expressing disappointment about the outcome of his 16-year tenure. This restructuring also saw 268 positions eliminated across various Xbox studios, leading to the closure of Ninja Theory and the independence of Undead Labs.
Gears Of War: E-Day story director laid off as Halo Studios is reduced to scraps
Xbox Game Studios has implemented significant layoffs, impacting multiple first-party studios including Halo Studios and The Coalition. The story director for Gears Of War: E-Day, Juan Vaca, was laid off from The Coalition, while Halo Studios' cinematic director, Josh Daniels, experienced a promotion and layoff in the same week, with the studio reportedly reduced to a skeleton crew. These cuts are part of a larger restructuring effort by Microsoft, affecting other developers like Undead Labs and Double Fine Productions.
