World's Edge
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Xbox reportedly planning three more rounds of layoffs, with the first wave coming as early as this month
Xbox is reportedly planning three additional rounds of layoffs, with the first wave expected this month, followed by others in November and January 2027, as part of CEO Asha Sharma's business reset. This follows a September round of job cuts and a larger wave in July, with remaining reductions to be distributed across future quarters. Concerns are rising about the fate of The Coalition, the studio behind Gears of War: E-Day, and whether potential layoffs could impact promised bonuses.
Samson dev Liquid Swords has reportedly gone bankrupt
Swedish studio Liquid Swords, developer of the action game Samson, has reportedly filed for bankruptcy, affecting nearly 30 employees. The studio, co-founded by Christofer Sundberg, allegedly failed to pay developers for months, though Sweden's state wage guarantee should cover unpaid salaries. Samson received mixed reviews and suffered from technical issues upon its release on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.
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 is in the midst of a "reverse acquisition," analyst says, with Activision "best equipped to run the…
An industry analyst describes Microsoft's recent restructuring of Xbox Game Studios as a 'reverse acquisition,' suggesting that Activision Blizzard, acquired for $69 billion, is now better equipped to manage Microsoft's own studios. This shift involves significant layoffs and the merging of several studios, including placing the Halo franchise under Activision Blizzard's purview.
Microsoft CEO Says “Streamlining” by Xbox Team is “Great to See” in the Wake of Layoffs
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella expressed confidence in Xbox's intellectual property and future game development despite recent restructuring and significant layoffs. He praised Xbox CEO Asha Sharma's streamlining efforts and reiterated the goal of sustainable business models for broader game accessibility. However, the division faces challenges including declining hardware revenue and pressure to deliver successful exclusives.
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.
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma called out for "Kojima-maxxing" just before latest layoffs, former Age of Empires studio…
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma is facing criticism following recent layoffs, particularly after a publicized trip to Japan to visit Hideo Kojima and Kojima Productions. Former World's Edge studio head Shannon Loftis called out Sharma's "Kojima-maxxing" trip and "clarity is kindness" philosophy in light of the job cuts, suggesting leadership is out of touch with employees' struggles. The article highlights the perceived disconnect between leadership's actions and the ongoing restructuring and layoffs within Microsoft's gaming division.
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.
MMO Business Roundup: New VR glasses, Microsoft kills a game, and controllers that can read credit cards
Microsoft's recent layoffs may have led to the cancellation of a new Age of Empires game, with the studio World's Edge reportedly working on an unconfirmed project before its closure. Facebook unveiled new VR glasses focused on general use, capable of playing Meta Quest games and connecting to consoles. Sony patented a controller design that can read NFC information, potentially for payment processing or data transfer.
"It genuinely breaks my heart"- Confusion and frustration reign as gaming communities react to Xbox's drastic restructuring this week
Xbox has undergone a significant restructuring this week, leading to widespread layoffs and the impending closure of Ninja Theory. Studios like Obsidian Entertainment, Rare, and World's Edge have been re-assigned to different publishing arms within Xbox's ecosystem, causing confusion and frustration among players and developers regarding future game development and monetization strategies.
Microsoft Culled Age of Empires Studio Before Handing It Over to Activision, With Nearly Half of All Staff Gone
Microsoft's Age of Empires studio, World's Edge, has lost nearly half of its staff due to recent layoffs. This occurred before the studio was reportedly handed over to Activision Blizzard.
Xbox's version of PlayStation's Platinum Trophy achievement seems to leak, and it's got a sound-effect that's 15 seconds long
Microsoft appears to be introducing a "Mythic Achievement" for Xbox, similar to PlayStation's Platinum Trophy, which is reportedly retroactive and worth zero Gamerscore. This comes amidst significant restructuring within Xbox, including the effective closure of Halo Studios and job losses across multiple development teams like Ninja Theory and World's Edge.
RTS legend laid off after 16 years at Microsoft as Xbox guts Age of Empires studio World's Edge: "We had some…
Microsoft's ongoing "reset" has led to significant layoffs at the Age of Empires studio World's Edge, with studio creative director Adam Isgreen confirming that "just under half the studio was let go." Isgreen, who spent 16 years at Microsoft working on various titles including Age of Empires 4, expressed disappointment about the unfulfilled plans for the franchise's future. This follows a broader trend of job cuts across Xbox and the integration of some Xbox studios under Activision Blizzard.
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.
Age of Empires Studio Nearly Halved Amid Xbox Reset, Next Project Cancelled
The Age of Empires studio, World's Edge, has been significantly impacted by an Xbox reorganization, losing nearly half of its staff and its upcoming project. This move is part of a broader layoff scheme within Xbox.
Age of Empires studio World's Edge reportedly lost "nearly half" of its staff during yesterday's Xbox cuts and move to Activision
The Age of Empires studio World's Edge has reportedly lost nearly half of its staff following an Xbox restructuring that moved the studio under Activision's control. Former creative director Adam Isgreen confirmed his own departure and that of many colleagues. This news comes amidst broader layoffs and studio consolidations within Xbox, though the article also notes the success of Star Wars Zero Company, which has sold over a million copies despite its development team facing furlough.
Undead Labs makes 'significant' layoffs after splitting from Xbox
Undead Labs, the studio behind the State of Decay franchise, has become an independent, employee-owned company after divesting from Xbox. This separation has resulted in significant layoffs, impacting employees who worked on State of Decay 3. The studio plans to work with a new publisher for the game's release, which will still launch day one on Xbox Game Pass.
