Xbox
Xbox business and news from across the web.
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Comings and Goings
Following recent layoffs at Xbox, Double Fine and Compulsion Games have confirmed their studio statuses and ability to retain franchises like Psychonauts. A union has also launched a hardship fund to support laid-off developers.
Op Ed
This opinion piece argues that Xbox is currently in an unhealthy state, suggesting that the loss of talent is not a solution to its problems. The article explores the implications of these departures for the company's future.
The Xbox reset is not going to work if it’s just a retreat to the past
Microsoft's Xbox division continues to face significant challenges, marked by recurring mass layoffs and declining results. Despite the high volume of job cuts and studio closures, the company's future strategy remains unclear, with speculation that new leadership may be attempting to revert to past successes rather than innovate. The article questions the sustainability of this approach, especially concerning hardware sales and the exclusivity of major franchises like The Elder Scrolls 6.
Xbox’s Game Pass Subscriptions Currently Hovering Around 30 Million – Rumor
A rumor suggests that Xbox Game Pass subscriptions are currently around 30 million, a figure lower than the 34 million reported in February 2024 and significantly below Microsoft's goal of 77 million by fiscal year 2027. Despite this, Xbox CEO Asha Sharma stated the service did not grow as expected but indicated continued investment in higher priority projects, including The Elder Scrolls and Fallout franchises.
Bethesda Hit Hard by Layoffs, Studio Head Says “We Need to Change Course” – Rumor
Bethesda has reportedly experienced significant layoffs, with studio head Jill Braff stating the company needs to "change course" to ensure a more stable foundation and sustainable growth. This shift involves focusing on its strongest franchises, The Elder Scrolls and Fallout, potentially impacting development on other titles. The move comes amid broader industry layoffs and aims to reposition Bethesda for future success.
Arkane Founder Asks Xbox How Much the Studio Would Cost “For a Friend”
Arkane Studios founder Raphael Colantonio humorously inquired about the acquisition cost of the studio from Xbox CEO Asha Sharma. This comes amid Xbox's recent layoffs and studio restructuring, which has put Arkane under review. Colantonio has previously criticized Xbox's Game Pass model as unsustainable.
Xbox CEO Says “We Simply Spread Ourselves Too Thin” Following Layoffs
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma stated that the division "spread ourselves too thin" by making numerous unsuccessful bets, leading to recent layoffs affecting approximately 1,600 employees. As part of a restructuring, four studios are being let go, with Compulsion Games and Double Fine Productions becoming independent, and Undead Labs and Ninja Theory being sold. Sharma also confirmed further job cuts are planned and announced organizational changes, including a new COO, Helen Chiang.
The Gaming Industry Is Eating Itself Alive
Xbox is undergoing a massive restructuring, including 3,200 layoffs, impacting numerous studios and divisions like Activision, Bethesda, and Blizzard. While some studios regain independence and first-party projects remain safe for now, the article criticizes Xbox's overall strategy, citing Game Pass's performance and declining hardware revenue. The piece also touches on PlayStation's similar issues with digital ownership and preservation, painting a bleak picture for the future of gaming costs and ownership.
The Elder Scrolls Online Studio Has Been Hit Hard by Layoffs, Content Roadmap “Will Be Shifting”
Zenimax Online Studios, the developer of The Elder Scrolls Online, has been significantly impacted by recent layoffs within Xbox. This has led to a reassessment of the MMORPG's content roadmap, with an updated schedule to be announced later. The article also mentions past layoffs at the studio, including the cancellation of an in-development MMO codenamed Blackbird.
The Outer Worlds 2, Avowed Studio Hit by Layoffs, Affecting 25 Percent of Employees – Rumor
Obsidian Entertainment has reportedly laid off 60 to 70 employees, approximately 25 percent of its staff, including The Outer Worlds 2 art director Daniel Alpert. Despite these layoffs, the studio continues development on Grounded and story DLC for The Outer Worlds 2, while also working on Avowed. Studio head Feargus Urquhart clarified that neither Avowed nor The Outer Worlds 2 were considered 'disasters' despite not meeting sales expectations.
State of Decay 3 Studio Confirms Development is Continuing as it Transitions Out of Xbox
Undead Labs has confirmed that development on State of Decay 3 is continuing as the studio transitions away from Xbox. While details about the new ownership are scarce, the studio expressed optimism about the game's future. This news comes amidst significant layoffs and studio sales within Xbox, affecting other developers like Ninja Theory and Compulsion Games.
Xbox Layoffs’ Effects on Blizzard Have Been “Comparatively Minimal” – Rumor
Blizzard Entertainment president Johanna Faries addressed staff regarding Xbox's recent layoffs, stating the impact on Blizzard has been comparatively minimal. While further details will be shared, the company plans to focus on its major franchises like Diablo, StarCraft, and Warcraft, with potential cross-media adaptations and BlizzCon 2026 still planned. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma indicated that the layoffs are part of a broader reset due to failed bets and overextension, with approximately 3,200 job cuts planned for the fiscal year.
Xbox Says It Must Reset Because Its Business Is “Not Healthy”
Xbox is undergoing a significant restructuring, including 3,200 job cuts and the sale of studios, as part of CEO Asha Sharma's plan to address business challenges and reach a goal of entertaining one billion daily users. This move indicates a strategic shift to streamline operations and ensure the long-term health of the Xbox business.
Microsoft's dumb enough to make a new Quake game in Unreal Engine
Microsoft's Xbox division has announced significant layoffs impacting id Software, raising concerns about the future of the Quake franchise. The author speculates that Microsoft might develop a new Quake game using Unreal Engine 6 instead of id Software's proprietary idTech, potentially alienating long-time fans and disregarding the studio's legacy.
The games industry reacts to Xbox layoffs: 'We are clearly at a turning point'
Microsoft's Xbox division has announced significant layoffs, impacting approximately 3,200 employees and leading to the closure or restructuring of four game studios. This move has drawn widespread reactions from industry figures, expressing shock, sorrow, and anger, with many calling it a turning point for the game industry. The layoffs occur amidst Microsoft's continued investment in artificial intelligence, a decision that has drawn criticism for its perceived prioritization over game development talent.
Compulsion Games and Double Fine confirm "Independence Day" from Xbox
Compulsion Games and Double Fine have confirmed their return to independent management following significant layoffs and studio divestitures at Xbox. Compulsion Games will retain the rights to its titles, including We Happy Few and South of Midnight, while Double Fine also regains ownership of its games. This news comes as part of broader restructuring within Xbox's gaming division, affecting multiple studios.
Bethesda union blasts Microsoft as Xbox layoffs hit the Fallout and Elder Scrolls studio, too: "When will this cycle of cuts in pursuit of ever-greater profits end?"
Microsoft has initiated significant layoffs across its Xbox division, impacting Bethesda Game Studios and other developers. The Bethesda Game Studios Union expressed frustration over the recurring cuts, highlighting the impact on long-term employees and calling for an end to profit-driven redundancies. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma cited weak operating margins and underperforming investments as reasons for the restructuring, which includes potential strategic shifts for studios like Arkane.
"Game execs remain stupid detached money grubbing idiots": Former Xbox boss wanted Halo 4 to copy Diablo 3's horrible real-money auction house, dev says
A former Xbox executive, Don Mattrick, suggested that Halo 4 should implement a real-money auction house for in-game items, similar to Diablo 3's controversial feature. This suggestion was recalled by a recently laid-off Halo designer, Dan Callan, who criticized the detachment of executives from game development realities and the negative impact of such monetization strategies.
Xbox Layoffs 2026: What Microsoft's Reset Means for Average Gamers
Microsoft's Xbox division has undergone a massive restructuring, cutting approximately 3,200 jobs in fiscal year 2027 and shuttering or spinning off five studios, including Ninja Theory and Arkane Lyon. This move comes despite Microsoft's overall profitability, with Xbox reportedly struggling with low profit margins and a failed attempt to achieve a 30% accountability margin. The article analyzes the business decisions, including Game Pass accounting and price hikes, that led to these layoffs and discusses the implications for gamers, including potential changes to hardware strategy and game exclusivity.
“Catastrophic Mismanagement” And AI Gambits Led To Mass Xbox Layoffs, Expert Says
An expert attributes the recent mass layoffs at Microsoft, including 3,200 at Xbox, to "catastrophic mismanagement" by CEO Satya Nadella and the company's AI strategies. The article suggests that AI investments are not yielding sufficient returns, leading to cost-cutting measures that also involve divesting several development studios. Despite Microsoft's claims that AI is changing how work is done, the company's stock price has seen a decline.
