Xbox Game Studios
Xbox Game Studios business and news from across the web.
Xbox Game Studios head and chief of staff step down as 'Xbox reset' loomsXbox Game Studios head Craig Duncan and chief of staff Louise O'Connor have stepped down, with their departures coinciding with a planned "Xbox reset" by new leaders Asha Sharma and Matt Booty. The company is reportedly considering significant layoffs and potential studio closures, with Compulsion Games, Double Fine, and Ninja Theory mentioned as being at risk.
With so much uncertainty swelling around Xbox, Senua is the action-adventure shot in the arm that the Hellblade series deservesNinja Theory's upcoming action-adventure game, Senua, set for a 2027 release on Xbox Series X, PC, and PlayStation 5, aims to deepen player engagement with more combat, traversal, and puzzle-solving. Studio head Dom Matthews stated that feedback on Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 indicated a desire for more gameplay, leading the team to focus entirely on this new title to enhance combat fluidity and enemy variety. The game is described as a more balanced action-adventure experience, drawing parallels to Enslaved: Odyssey to the West, and will feature a structured narrative within a larger, interconnected world, avoiding an open-world approach.
Rumours suggest multiple Xbox studios are to closeRumors suggest Microsoft is planning to close multiple Xbox studios, including Compulsion Games and Arkane Studios, with potential spin-offs for Double Fine. The head of Xbox Game Studios, Craig Duncan, has also stepped down amid these reports. These potential closures follow underperforming titles like South of Midnight and Redfall, and broader industry discussions about the sustainability of day-one Game Pass releases.
Minecraft Dungeons 2 is a breath of fresh air after the horrors of Diablo 4Minecraft Dungeons 2 offers a refreshing take on the action RPG genre, providing a more relaxed and accessible dungeon-crawling experience compared to titles like Diablo 4. The game features up to four-player co-op, an interconnected world with hidden collectibles, and new enemy types like the Twisted Warden. Despite minor issues with character tracking, the sequel introduces quality-of-life improvements such as a mini-inventory system and a more responsive combat experience, aiming for a September 29, 2026 release on PC, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox Series X.
Xbox is reportedly closing South of Midnight studio Compulsion Games after bragging about its award-winning developers…Xbox is reportedly planning to close Compulsion Games, the studio behind South of Midnight and We Happy Few, just days after announcing impending layoffs. While no official statement has been made, multiple employees have indicated they are seeking new work. This comes despite recent praise from Xbox leadership, including CEO Asha Sharma and Chief Creative Officer Matt Booty, for the studio's award-winning work.
"We didn't make E-Day as a reaction to Gears 5": How The Coalition ripped up the Gears of War playbook to…The Coalition is developing Gears of War: E-Day, a prequel set on Emergence Day, aiming to recapture the spirit of the original trilogy while rebuilding core mechanics in Unreal Engine 5. The game will feature a more focused, linear experience within the city of Kalona, emphasizing dense combat arenas and fluid movement, and is set for release on PC and Xbox Series X in October 2026.
Xbox is reportedly planning to shut down Compulsion GamesXbox is reportedly planning to shut down Compulsion Games, the studio behind South of Midnight and We Happy Few. The Peabody-winning studio, acquired by Xbox in 2018, has developed three games since its founding in 2009. Negotiations between Compulsion leadership and Microsoft are reportedly ongoing.
Three Xbox Studios at Risk of Closure, in Talks to Become IndependentReports indicate that three Xbox first-party developers, Compulsion Games, Double Fine, and Ninja Theory, are at risk of closure and are in negotiations with Microsoft to become independent studios. This news follows recent speculation about potential studio closures within Xbox Game Studios, with CEO Satya Nadella emphasizing the need for Xbox to become a sustainable business.- Several Xbox Studios at Risk of Closure, in Talks to Become IndependentSeveral Xbox first-party studios, including Compulsion Games, Double Fine, and Ninja Theory, are reportedly at risk of closure and are in negotiations with Microsoft to spin off as independent entities. This news follows comments from CEO Satya Nadella about Xbox needing to become a sustainable business. Compulsion Games' title 'South of Midnight' was recently released on PlayStation 5.
Xbox Game Studios Head Craig Duncan & Chief of Staff Louise O'Conner leave MicrosoftXbox Game Studios Head Craig Duncan and Chief of Staff Louise O’Conner are leaving Microsoft. Duncan, who previously led Rare for 13 years, stated his purpose was to serve the studios and teams, highlighting successful game launches. O'Conner also had a long tenure at Rare, contributing to titles from Conker's Bad Fur Day to Everwild. Their departures come amid rumors of upcoming layoffs at the end of June.
Report: Two former Rare execs are leaving XboxTwo former Rare executives, Craig Duncan and Louise O’Connor, are departing from Xbox. Duncan, head of Xbox Game Studios, and O'Connor, chief of staff, leave amidst reports of a 'business reset' and potential layoffs within Xbox. These departures follow a period of significant changes and discussions about the future sustainability of the Xbox division.- Xbox Game Studios Boss Is Out Ahead Of Reported Layoffs And Other Major Changes To “Reset” XboxCraig Duncan, head of Xbox Game Studios, is departing Microsoft after 15 years, along with his chief of staff Louise O'Connor. These changes precede reported layoffs and potential studio closures as Xbox CEO Asha Sharma aims to "reset" the business. The departures follow comments from Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella about the need to make Xbox a sustainable business.
Xbox Games Studios loses two top execs, days after Microsoft CEO calls for company "reset"Xbox Games Studios leader Craig Duncan and chief of staff Louise O'Connor have departed Microsoft, shortly after CEO Asha Sharma called for a business "reset." The departures follow reports of impending mass layoffs within the company. Duncan and O'Connor are veterans of Rare, having worked on titles like Sea of Thieves and the cancelled Everwild.- Comings and GoingsThe head of Xbox Game Studios has resigned from their position. This news comes shortly before anticipated mass layoffs are expected to occur within the company.
Xbox Game Studios head leaves after less than 2 years: "I'm proud to say we delivered many flawless…Craig Duncan has departed from his role as head of Xbox Game Studios after less than two years, capping a longer career at Microsoft. He announced his exit in a memo to staff, highlighting the delivery of "flawless launches" during his tenure. Louise O'Connor, who also had a long history with Rare, is leaving as well. The teams will report to Xbox CCO Matt Booty until a replacement is found, amidst ongoing rumors of an "Xbox reset" including potential layoffs and restructuring.- Xbox Game Studios chief reportedly steps down as layoffs loomXbox Game Studios is reportedly facing layoffs, with Xbox Game Studios chief Craig Duncan stepping down. The news follows a period of uncertainty for the company.
Microsoft's Xbox Game Studios boss steps down after less than two years, amid major changes for the platformCraig Duncan has stepped down as head of Xbox Game Studios after less than two years, with chief of staff Louise O'Connor also departing. Duncan, formerly head of Rare, oversaw numerous studios during his tenure. Matt Booty will temporarily lead the studios until a replacement is found, amidst broader leadership changes at Xbox under Asha Sharma.- Xbox Game Studios Boss Departs Amid Growing Concern Over Layoffs and Possible Studio ShutdownsTwo senior managers at Microsoft's Xbox Game Studios are departing the company. This comes amid growing concerns about impending layoffs and the potential closure of some studios within the division.
Xbox Game Studios boss Craig Duncan and Chief of Staff Louise O'Connor step downXbox Game Studios leader Craig Duncan and Chief of Staff Louise O'Connor have stepped down from their roles. Duncan, who previously led Rare, oversaw numerous internal studios, while O'Connor was an executive producer at Rare. Their departures coincide with reports of potential job cuts and a business 'reset' at Xbox.
Fable is harder than the demo made it seem, devs promise: "Other difficulty levels will ensure the guards remember…Playground Games has addressed concerns that the Fable demo's combat appeared too easy, assuring players that the demo used the 'Story' difficulty setting. Higher difficulty levels will be available at launch, offering a more challenging experience. The developers also clarified that blacksmithing profits in the demo were adjusted for brevity and will be more balanced in the full release.