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Xbox is officially so low that it's got ex PlayStation head Shawn Layden rooting for Microsoft to avoid "a…
Former PlayStation head Shawn Layden expresses hope for Xbox's resurgence, emphasizing the importance of strong competition between Microsoft and Sony for the health of the gaming industry. He believes a dominant player like Sony could stifle innovation and differentiation, and wishes to see Xbox regain its competitive spirit.
PlayStation 6 could outsell Xbox Project Helix by roughly 10 million units before 2030, analysts predict
Analysts predict that the PlayStation 6 will significantly outsell the next Xbox console, codenamed Project Helix, by approximately 10 million units before 2030. This forecast considers current hardware costs, software availability, and the overall economic climate, with Sony's next-gen console expected to reach 17.2 million units by 2030, while the Xbox successor is projected to sell only 7.3 million.
Xbox fans use its own feedback forum to call out Microsoft’s business and layoff decisions
Xbox gamers are voicing their strong disapproval of Microsoft's recent business decisions and significant layoffs through the platform's official feedback forums. A popular thread criticizes the dismissal of thousands of workers, the closure of studios, and the cancellation of games, proposing a reset that includes revoking ambitious player count goals and re-evaluating executive bonuses.
Compulsion Games seeks new partnerships following spin-out from from Xbox
Compulsion Games has announced its return to independent development after being spun out from Xbox. The studio, known for South of Midnight, is now seeking new partnerships to leverage its team's talent and creativity. Compulsion Games retains the rights to its previous titles, including Contrast, We Happy Few, and South of Midnight.
Users flock to Xbox Player Voice portal to ask for an end to cycle of layoffs
Following recent layoffs and studio closures at Xbox, users are flocking to the Xbox Player Voice portal to express their frustration. The top trending thread calls for an end to studio closures and layoffs, with users citing leadership failures and corporate greed. Former id Software developer Johnmichael Quinlan also shared his experience of being laid off despite successful project delivery.
id Software producer says 'you'll never get another WoW or Morrowind in the current climate' in the wake…
id Software producer Andrew Willis believes the current climate prevents the creation of long-lasting franchises like World of Warcraft or Morrowind, attributing this to large publishers and a lack of understanding from executives. He advocates for developer-owned studios as the path forward for sustainable growth and artistic integrity in the gaming industry, contrasting this with Xbox's stated goals of returning to growth through further layoffs.
Days after leaving Xbox, South of Midnight developer Compulsion Games broadcasts that it's looking for work
Following its separation from Microsoft's Xbox division due to layoffs, Compulsion Games is actively seeking new collaboration opportunities with other studios. The developer of South of Midnight and We Happy Few aims to leverage its award-winning talent to support external projects while retaining ownership of its existing IPs.
Following Xbox split, South of Midnight devs Compulsion are looking for work as a co-development or support studio
Following layoffs from Xbox, Compulsion Games, the studio behind South of Midnight and We Happy Few, is now operating as an independent developer. The company is actively seeking co-development or support roles with other studios to secure funding and leverage its team's talent while working on its next original game.
Compulsion Games Seeks Collaborations
Compulsion Games has announced its return to independent development following its emancipation from Xbox. The studio is actively seeking collaborations with other entities in the industry.
South of Midnight Developer is Looking for Studios to Collaborate With
Compulsion Games, now an independent studio after being released from Xbox, is seeking collaboration partners for its next project. The studio, which developed the BAFTA and Peabody Award-winning game South of Midnight, aims to leverage its talent and expertise while securing funding. This announcement follows recent layoffs at Xbox and the independent transitions of other former Xbox studios like Undead Labs, Double Fine Productions, and Ninja Theory.
One week after going independent in the Xbox bloodbath, South of Midnight developer Compulsion Games is looking for work
Compulsion Games, the developer of the BAFTA and Peabody Award-winning title South of Midnight, has announced it is seeking new collaborations after becoming independent following recent layoffs at Xbox. Microsoft, which acquired Compulsion in 2018, allowed the studio to go independent rather than closing it. The studio is leveraging its experience in creating original intellectual property to partner with other companies in the games and entertainment industry.
Halo Studios reportedly cancels Halo multiplayer project Ekur, which had customisable Spartans and Elites and large player battles
343 Industries has reportedly cancelled Project Ekur, a multiplayer Halo project that was being prototyped by Certain Affinity. The cancellation appears to be linked to recent Xbox layoffs and potential development issues with the Halo 1 remake, Halo: Campaign Evolved. Project Ekur was envisioned as a large-scale multiplayer experience with customizable Spartans and Elites, drawing inspiration from Halo 5's Warzone mode.
Id Software fortsätter att utveckla nästa Doom-titel
Despite recent mass layoffs at id Software following Microsoft's Xbox reorganization, the studio has confirmed it is continuing development on new games and technology. The current staff size is comparable to when DOOM (2016) was in development, and the studio remains focused on creating its own games and proprietary engine technology. Reports indicate that work on a new DOOM title has already begun.
A gamer successfully sued Microsoft for telling him to rebuy his Xbox games after his account was hacked
A Brazilian court has ruled in favor of an Xbox gamer whose account was hacked and who was subsequently told by Microsoft that he would need to repurchase his games. The court ordered Microsoft to restore the gamer's account within 15 days and pay approximately $400 in damages.
The Elder Scrolls Online Dev ZeniMax Online Studios Insists It's Now the Same Size It Was When It Made Much-Loved DLCs, Moves to Reassure Worried Fans After Xbox Layoffs
ZeniMax Online Studios, the developer of The Elder Scrolls Online, has assured fans that the studio's size and commitment to the game remain unchanged despite recent layoffs at Xbox. The studio aims to alleviate concerns about the future of the game and its DLC development.
Xbox’s ‘Reset’ – What its Franchise-First Future Could Look Like | IGN Opinion
This opinion piece explores Xbox's potential future strategy of releasing its major franchises more frequently, including titles like Halo, The Elder Scrolls, and Fallout. It suggests ways Xbox could leverage its resources to achieve this goal.
Outer Worlds 2 Director Reacts To Mass Layoffs At Xbox And Dispels “Misinformation”
Obsidian Entertainment's game director Brandon Adler addressed recent layoffs at Xbox and dispelled what he called misinformation about the studio's current identity. Adler stated that while the company has changed over 20 years, its core DNA remains the same, with many lead developers having worked on classic titles like Fallout: New Vegas and Pillars of Eternity. The article also mentions reported layoffs at Obsidian, the cancellation of an Avowed sequel, and a potential new Fallout game.
Former PlayStation head tells Xbox to either be a good publisher or make a good platform with exclusives: "Nintendo…
Former PlayStation head Shawn Layden advises Xbox to commit to either being a competitive platform with exclusive content or a major multi-platform publisher. He argues that trying to be both is a flawed strategy, citing Nintendo and PlayStation's reliance on exclusives. Layden also points to Microsoft's frequent layoffs and the confusing decision to acquire major franchises only to release them on rival platforms.
Xbox veteran stresses Sony's all-digital future would compromise game ownership: 'Digital is convenient until someone else decides you’ve had enough'
Xbox founder Laura Fryer has criticized Sony's move towards an all-digital future for PlayStation games, warning that it compromises true game ownership. She points to the discontinuation of physical game discs starting in 2028 and the removal of purchased movies from user libraries as evidence of the risks associated with digital convenience. Fryer suggests Sony is following Rockstar Games' lead with the digital-only Grand Theft Auto 6 to normalize this shift, which she believes ultimately harms consumers by eliminating the used game market and backward compatibility.
The Outer Worlds 2 lead slams "cold take artists" following Xbox layoffs at Obsidian, says "the same DNA" that created hits like Fallout: New Vegas and more remains
Brandon Adler, co-director of The Outer Worlds 2, has spoken out against "cold take artists" speculating about Obsidian Entertainment following recent layoffs at Xbox studios. Adler emphasized that the core "DNA" of the studio, responsible for games like Fallout: New Vegas and Pillars of Eternity, remains intact despite the loss of talent. He acknowledged the difficulties faced by the company and its developers while defending the seasoned developers still working at Obsidian.
