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Xbox business and news from across the web.
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Xbox is in freefall but all one exec can talk about is GTA 6 pre-orders
Xbox is facing significant challenges, including thousands of layoffs, poor Xbox Series X/S sales, and a failed pivot to Game Pass. Amidst this turmoil, an Xbox executive's focus on Grand Theft Auto 6 pre-orders on the platform has drawn criticism, especially as pre-orders are reportedly skewed towards PlayStation 5. The company is undergoing a major 'reset' which includes studio mergers and a shift for the Halo IP.
Rare under Activision has seen job cuts but they are working on new projects
Xbox has announced a studio reshuffle, placing the acclaimed developer Rare under Activision. This move has reportedly led to job cuts within Rare's central operations team. Despite these changes, Rare is confirmed to be working on new projects.
Evening Reading - September 24, 2026
Shacknews' Evening Reading for September 24, 2026, rounds up various gaming news items including updates on Dragon Quest 11, Total War: Warhammer 3, Marathon, and Tetris Effect: Mixed Realities. The digest also touches on changes for Quake Champions and Counter-Strike 2, and mentions State of Decay 3's development.
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.
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.
Inside Xbox, "the only concrete thing they have communicated is they want higher profits, and they want it…
An id Software employee reports that ongoing layoffs at Xbox are exacerbating management chaos and making it difficult to meet Microsoft's high profit expectations. Despite corporate communication about a business 'reset,' the employee states the only clear goal is immediate profit increases, leading to low morale and unrealistic goals for game development.
"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.
Activision’s Halo Must Go Beyond Bungie
Xbox has struggled to recapture the magic of the Halo series for 15 years since Bungie's departure. The article argues that Activision's next Halo game needs a significant reimagining, drawing parallels to the successful reboot of Doom (2016).
"I assume someone is being greedy somewhere" - Tim Schafer discusses current game industry woes following Double Fine's split with Xbox
Tim Schafer, founder of Double Fine Productions, discussed the studio's recent split with Xbox and his views on the current state of the game industry. He expressed support for Game Pass but questioned the economics leading to widespread layoffs, suggesting greed is a factor. Schafer praised Xbox's past support for Double Fine but noted their differing strategies.
NBA 2K27 Best Teams to Rebuild Guide - Save Ideas
This guide for NBA 2K27's MyNBA mode focuses on teams that need rebuilding, offering insights into managing contracts and finding new stars. It details the current state of teams like the Milwaukee Bucks, Memphis Grizzlies, Sacramento Kings, Dallas Mavericks, and Washington Wizards, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses for players looking to make a significant impact.
Activisions Halo-spel sägs inte bli en spinoff
Activision is reportedly forming a dedicated team to develop the next full installment in the Halo series, rather than a spinoff. This comes as 343 Industries is being shifted to a maintenance role for existing Halo titles, leading to uncertainty about their future. Activision's CEO, Rob Kostich, stated their goal is to create the best Halo game ever.
Bethesda försäkrar att Obsidian ska få behålla sin identitet
Bethesda has assured employees of Obsidian Entertainment that the studio will retain its distinct creative identity and operate as a separate team following its acquisition by Xbox. Bethesda Game Studios will continue to lead the Fallout franchise, with both studios collaborating on a new Fallout project.
Microsoft's approach to age verification in Australia is further proof that Valve is taking the everloving piss
Valve's new age verification requirements in Australia, which mandate credit card details, are criticized for being ill-suited to the market and potentially malicious compliance. Microsoft's alternative approach, using account history to verify adult status, is presented as a more user-friendly alternative, despite general reservations about age verification systems.
Quake Champions moves from F2P to a paid game & unlocks all content for existing players
Quake Champions has transitioned from a free-to-play model to a paid game for new players, with all content now unlocked. Existing players will retain access to all content for free, and those who purchased Platinum within the last 60 days will receive a refund. The Microsoft Store version is being retired, with players encouraged to migrate to Steam.
Bethesda boss confirms Obsidian will remain a "distinct" team
Bethesda boss Jill Braff confirmed that Obsidian Entertainment will remain a distinct studio with its existing leadership following Xbox's recent studio reorganisation. This move places Obsidian under Bethesda's reporting structure, though its creative identity and strengths will be preserved. The teams will continue to collaborate on new Fallout projects.
Report: Bethesda president tells Obsidian staff it won't lose 'creative identity' after merge
Bethesda president Jill Braff reportedly assured Obsidian Entertainment staff that their 'creative identity' will remain intact following the merger into Bethesda. The move, announced by parent company Xbox, involves a change in reporting structure rather than creative oversight. Obsidian leadership will continue to lead the studio, which will report to Braff, while Bethesda Game Studios will continue to lead the Fallout franchise, with both teams collaborating on a new Fallout project.
Obsidian will keep its "creative identity" under Bethesda, Fallout and Elder Scrolls boss says in leaked memo
A leaked memo from Bethesda president Jill Braff suggests Obsidian Entertainment will maintain its creative identity while reporting to Bethesda following Xbox's recent layoffs and restructuring. Despite assurances, concerns remain about Obsidian's future, particularly regarding its original IP development and the shift towards franchise-led projects, especially with reports of layoffs and a new Fallout game collaboration.
Obsidian's "creative identity and strengths" will remain intact, promises Bethesda, as it takes control of Fallout: New Vegas studio
Following Xbox's recent reorganisation, Obsidian Entertainment is being moved under Bethesda's umbrella. Bethesda president Jill Braff assured staff that Obsidian's creative identity will remain intact, with CEO Feargus Urquhart continuing to lead the studio. This move comes as Bethesda Game Studios leads the Fallout franchise, with early work on a new Fallout project already underway.
Bethesda Boss Issues Memo to Staff After Xbox Moves Obsidian Into the Fallout Company
Bethesda's head reassured staff that Obsidian Entertainment will remain a distinct entity following its absorption into the Xbox studios as part of a recent reorganisation. This move places Obsidian within the same corporate structure as Bethesda, which is also owned by Xbox.
Undead Labs confirms indie status, developer layoffs, and continued State of Decay 3 development
Undead Labs has officially separated from Microsoft and is now an independent, employee-owned studio. Development of State of Decay 3 continues, with the game slated for a 2027 release on Xbox, Game Pass, PlayStation 5, and PC. The transition to independence unfortunately involved an undisclosed number of layoffs.
