Xbox Game Studios
Xbox Game Studios business and news from across the web.
Xbox Game Studios head Craig Duncan and chief of staff Louise O’Connor to departXbox Game Studios head Craig Duncan and chief of staff Louise O’Connor are departing the company. Duncan served in his role for over 18 months, while O’Connor served for over 11 months. Both previously held leadership positions at Rare. Their departures follow a period of successful game launches overseen by Duncan.
Xbox Game Studios leadership Craig Duncan and Louise O’Connor resignXbox Game Studios head Craig Duncan and chief of staff Louise O’Connor have resigned from their positions. Duncan, who led the division for 20 months, and O’Connor, who joined Microsoft after working at Rare, are leaving the company. Their responsibilities will be temporarily handled by Xbox Chief Content Officer Matt Booty.
Halo tops PS5 pre-order charts despite Xbox exclusivity pivotDespite Microsoft's pivot back to Xbox console exclusives, the upcoming Halo remake, Halo: Campaign Evolved, is topping pre-order charts on the PlayStation Store across Europe. This success on a competitor's platform could influence future exclusivity decisions for Xbox.
Games Inbox: Are the original Halo games still worth playing?Readers discuss the enduring appeal of older Halo titles, with one praising Halo 3's timeless design and soundtrack. Another reader reflects on the evolution of gaming technology and online infrastructure since the original Xbox era. Concerns are also raised about the current state of game pricing and the potential impact of consumer reluctance to buy games at full price.
Xbox Closing At Least 2 Studios by 2026 End, Including One “Which Could Come as a Shock” – RumorInsider Gaming reports that at least two Xbox Game Studios are at risk of being shut down by the end of 2026, with one closure potentially being a surprise. While specific studios like Obsidian and Rare are reportedly safe, titles that underperformed, such as Forza Motorsport and South of Midnight, could put studios like Double Fine Productions, Compulsion Games, and Turn 10 Studios at risk.
Xbox Game Studios Head Craig Duncan Has Stepped Down – RumorXbox Game Studios head Craig Duncan and chief of staff Louise O’Connor have reportedly stepped down. Duncan stated in an email that his purpose was to serve the studios and teams, and he is proud of the launches achieved during his 20-month tenure. Matt Booty is expected to oversee Xbox Game Studios in the interim, amidst rumors of further layoffs and potential studio closures at Xbox.
Forza Horizon 6 players advised to apply new patch to avoid losing save data and progressPlayground Games is investigating a critical issue in Forza Horizon 6 where players are losing or having their save data reset. A patch has been released for PC and Steam, and players are advised to update to version 37.114.10001.0 or higher. Xbox players are also advised to disable Quick Resume and follow specific steps to prevent data loss, though some players report continued issues even after applying the patch.
Microsoft is looking to speed up development of future Elder Scrolls, Fallout, and Halo gamesMicrosoft is reportedly considering significant changes for its Xbox division, including the possibility of spinning it off as a standalone company or forming a joint venture. The company has approved plans to increase spending on major game series like Halo, Fallout, and The Elder Scrolls to accelerate their development.
Microsoft's Xbox games keep ending up as flops according to new reportA new report indicates that several Xbox games, including Avowed, Hellblade 2, and Forza Motorsport, have significantly underperformed Microsoft's sales and engagement expectations. This comes amid reports of expected layoffs and studio closures at Xbox, with CEO Asha Sharma acknowledging the company has 'over extended' its resources and needs to reassess investment priorities.
Even with PS5 Ports, Many of Xbox's Games Have Been UnderperfomingAn internal memo from Xbox CEO Asha Sharma revealed that the division is operating at a 3% accountability margin, leading to layoffs. Many of Xbox's first-party games, even those with PlayStation 5 ports, have underperformed in sales and Xbox Game Pass engagement, failing to meet expectations.
Xbox Network appears to be down as players report connection issues worldwide – here’s what we know so farThe Xbox Network is experiencing widespread connection issues, affecting game launches, logins, and online services for players on console and PC. Microsoft has acknowledged the problem, with the official Xbox status page providing updates. The outage impacts various features reliant on the network, such as Game Pass access and cloud saves.
Forza Horizon 6 Space Port Photo Challenge locationThis guide details the location and requirements for the Forza Horizon 6 spring Photo Challenge, 'AstroToy'. Players need to photograph a 'Track Toy' car at the Irokawa Space Port in the Nangan Region. Completing this challenge rewards players with a Forza Link line and points towards the current season.
Free Play Days – Hell Let Loose, State of Decay 2, and Blasphemous 2Xbox is offering Free Play Days for Hell Let Loose, State of Decay 2: Juggernaut Edition, and Blasphemous 2. Hell Let Loose requires Game Pass membership, while the other two titles are available to all Xbox members with a timed trial for Blasphemous 2. These offers are valid from Thursday, June 11 to Sunday, June 14.
Xbox preparing for mass layoffs as Project Helix implied for Christmas 2027Xbox is reportedly preparing for significant layoffs, potentially affecting around 1,000 employees, as the company faces declining revenue despite substantial investments. This comes as Xbox leadership discusses the high cost of console components and the need for new business models for the upcoming 'Project Helix,' rumored for a Christmas 2027 launch. The company has also seen multiple game cancellations and studio closures in recent years.
Xbox announces business 'reset' amid reports of layoffs and studio closuresXbox CEO Asha Sharma announced a business 'reset' for Microsoft's gaming division, signaling significant layoffs and potential studio closures following years of declining revenue. The memo cites a substantial increase in component costs for hardware and memory, exacerbated by past expansion choices, as a major challenge. Sharma and Xbox content chief Matt Booty aim to revive the company by evolving its business model and partnerships over the next 100 days.
"We have found ourselves over extended", new Xbox CEO says amid reports of plans for major job cutsNew Xbox CEO Asha Sharma and head of Xbox Game Studios Matt Booty are reportedly planning significant job cuts across the gaming division. Sharma cited declining revenues despite substantial investments and rising component costs as reasons for a business 'reset'. The planned layoffs follow Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard King and come amid reports of internal questioning regarding the company's broad strategy and complex infrastructure.
'It Looks Amazing and It's Coming Along Well': The Elder Scrolls 6 Is Making ProgressXbox boss Matt Booty has stated that The Elder Scrolls 6 is progressing well and looks amazing, though it is still years away from release. He acknowledged that the game was announced too early and that Microsoft is considering its platform exclusivity strategy.
Fable Extended Trailer Showcases FeaturesA new extended trailer for Fable, set to release in February 2027, showcases features focusing on building an extraordinary life in a world that feels alive. The RPG will feature distinct NPCs with dynamic personalities, a robust Reputation System, and relationships that respond to player actions, emphasizing the impact of player decisions on the game world and its inhabitants.
18 embargoes from Summer Game Fest just lifted, so let's rank everything I saw in LAThe author attended Summer Game Fest Play Days and provides a ranked list of 18 games they saw. The article details hands-on and hands-off impressions of various titles, offering brief critiques and release window estimates, with N+ Infinity Times Two topping the list.
Minecraft Dungeons II Blows the Doors of the ARPG Wide OpenMinecraft Dungeons II is set to release on September 29, offering an expanded ARPG experience with a new story, an Overworld map, and enhanced customization options. The game aims for accessibility, making it suitable for both casual players and genre enthusiasts, with robust co-op features for up to four players. It will be available on Xbox Series X|S, PC, cloud, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch, and included with Game Pass.