Undead Labs
Undead Labs business and news from across the web.
Latest coverage
The Elder Scrolls 6 Is Looking More Troubled Than Ever
Recent layoffs at Xbox-owned studios, including Bethesda Game Studios, are raising concerns about the development of The Elder Scrolls 6. The article suggests that the removal of experienced personnel and reliance on contractors could lead to further delays and negatively impact the game's quality. This situation is viewed as a "spreadsheet decision" by Xbox, prioritizing cost-cutting over the franchise's long-term success.
Microsoft Refutes Notion That Foreign-Worker Visas Were Behind Mass Xbox Layoffs
Microsoft communications lead Frank X. Shaw refuted claims that foreign-worker visas were the cause of recent mass layoffs affecting 1,600 people at Xbox. Shaw stated the workforce changes were due to a necessary business restructure, not to replace employees with foreign workers, and that H-1B visa holders represent a small percentage of the overall workforce and were not specific to Xbox.
Summary: what's happening at Xbox?
Xbox announced a major restructuring involving 3,200 job cuts, with 1,600 immediate layoffs, primarily affecting ZeniMax studios like Bethesda and id Software. Several studios, including Compulsion Games, Double Fine, Ninja Theory, and Undead Labs, are being sold off or spun out as independent entities. This move aims to refocus on high-earning franchises and improve profit margins, impacting the development of upcoming titles like The Elder Scrolls 6 and potentially State of Decay 3.
Xbox After The Layoffs: Studios Left And What They’re Making
Xbox 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 both
Former 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.
Can a top-down, focused software strategy save Xbox? | Opinion
Xbox has undergone significant layoffs and studio closures, impacting 20% of its workforce and five internal studios, including Compulsion Games and Double Fine. This strategic shift, led by Asha Sharma, aims to address financial issues and improve first-party development, though the article questions the effectiveness of these measures and criticizes the company's past spending and treatment of developers.
Own goal specialist Xbox rifles another into the roof of the net - Patch Notes #60
Xbox announced significant layoffs, impacting approximately 3,200 employees across various studios including id Software, ZeniMax Online Studios, Double Fine, Compulsion Games, Ninja Theory, and Undead Labs. Xbox boss Asha Sharma cited a need to eliminate management layers and create a flatter organization, though many of the affected employees are senior staff integral to game production. This marks the fifth major round of layoffs at Xbox in three years, with unions like CWA Canada criticizing Microsoft's handling of the situation.
Asha Sharma joins Federal Reserve advisory task force days after laying off thousands at Xbox
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has been appointed to a new US Federal Reserve task force focused on productivity and jobs, specifically examining the economic impact of artificial intelligence. This appointment follows Xbox's announcement of significant layoffs affecting thousands of employees and several game studios, including Double Fine and Ninja Theory.
Report: Obsidian to work on Fallout title as unannounced projects cancelled
Obsidian 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.
17 years later, Minecraft is finally adding somewhere to sit
Minecraft is introducing craftable cushions and new straw beds in its latest preview build, allowing players new ways to rest. These additions come as Mojang, an Xbox-owned studio, is impacted by significant layoffs affecting numerous gaming companies.
Opinion: Welcome to the house of pain, brought to you by Xbox
Xbox is facing significant layoffs and studio closures despite massive investments in mergers and acquisitions, including the $70 billion purchase of Activision Blizzard King. CEO Asha Sharma cited a failure to meet growth expectations for Game Pass and multi-platform strategies as reasons for the 'reset,' which has resulted in over 7,000 job cuts across the company since January 2024, with more planned.
MMO Business Roundup: Microsoft is why we can’t have nice things
Microsoft's recent wave of layoffs has significantly impacted its gaming divisions, including studios like Id Software, Bethesda Game Studios, and ZeniMax Online Studios, leading to concerns about the quality and release schedules of major franchises like The Elder Scrolls Online. The article highlights the negative consequences of these business decisions on employees, game development, and player experience, drawing criticism from industry figures and politicians alike.
After 8 years and no new releases, Undead Labs' biggest contribution to Xbox is the tech it leaves behind
Despite not releasing new games in eight years, Undead Labs, acquired by Xbox Game Studios in 2018, has made significant technological contributions. Their 'Shared Save' technology, initially developed for State of Decay 2 and later expanded, enabled Obsidian's Grounded and will support State of Decay 3's larger communities. This tech allows for shared world-data as a cloud save, reducing the need for dedicated servers.
State Of Decay 3 Might Not Come To Xbox Game Pass, After Being Promised Last Month
State of Decay 3, previously confirmed for Xbox Game Pass, may not launch on the subscription service due to the terms of its developer's acquisition. The deal between Microsoft and the unknown buyer reportedly lacks any Xbox-controlling clauses, contradicting earlier announcements. This news follows significant layoffs at Xbox and the sale of studios like Undead Labs and Ninja Theory.
Xbox’s New Plan After Brutal Cuts: Focus On The Thing Called Xbox
Following significant layoffs, Xbox is refocusing its strategy on its core business, including its flagship console hardware and major IPs like Minecraft. This shift aims to address issues like spreading resources too thin and declining hardware revenue, despite industry-wide cost increases and component shortages. The restructuring also involves making some studios independent or selling them off.
State of Decay 3 could reportedly skip Xbox Game Pass after Microsoft dumped its studio
Following Microsoft's significant restructure and layoffs, Undead Labs, the developer of State of Decay 3, is reportedly moving to a new management structure or becoming independent. This change could mean that State of Decay 3 will not be required to launch on Xbox Game Pass, despite its recent gameplay reveal and 2027 release window.
Xbox retreats again – but to where? | Opinion
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma announced significant layoffs affecting thousands of employees across various studios as part of a company 'reset' to focus on profitable franchises. This move raises questions about the future of Xbox's first-party strategy, its Game Pass subscription service, and the upcoming console generation, particularly given the high cost of components and the blurring lines between PC and console gaming.
Doom creator John Romero praises the devs who carried on id Software's legacy as Microsoft reportedly lays off half of the studio: "The last few games showed real care, skill, and respect"
Doom co-creator John Romero has expressed his sympathy for id Software employees affected by recent layoffs, which reportedly cut the studio in half. Microsoft's Xbox division is undergoing a significant restructure, impacting ZeniMax Studios and its subsidiaries, including id Software, Bethesda Game Studios, and Arkane Studios. Despite reports of Bethesda focusing on its strongest franchises like Doom, Quake, and Wolfenstein, the extensive layoffs at id Software, particularly among coders working on the id Tech engine, raise concerns about the future of these series.
"We simply spread ourselves too thin" – Xbox's Asha Sharma on firm's restructuring plans
Xbox 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.
