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Xbox's Chief Strategy Officer says ads can offer "more affordable alternatives," but believes in-game interruptions "would be bad"
Xbox Chief Strategy Officer Matthew Ball clarified comments regarding the potential for ad-supported, more affordable alternatives to services like Xbox Game Pass. He emphasized that any discussion of ads was in the context of offering lower-cost options alongside existing ad-free experiences, similar to streaming services, and explicitly stated that in-game advertisements interrupting gameplay would be a negative development.
Playstack sold, Xbox announces business 'reset,' and is generative AI poisoning the well? - Patch Notes #56
Playstack has been sold to Integrated Media Company, with TruFin divesting its majority stake. Xbox announced a business 'reset' involving potential layoffs and studio closures, as confirmed by leaders Asha Sharma and Matt Booty. Concerns are also rising about generative AI's impact on the industry, with Take-Two's former head of AI, Luke Dicken, expressing worries about the current hype cycle.
Xbox boss explains why The Elder Scrolls 6 wasn't at the Xbox Games Showcase
Xbox chief content officer Matt Booty stated that The Elder Scrolls 6 is 'amazing' and progressing well, but will be revealed at the right time, explaining its absence from the recent Xbox Games Showcase. Todd Howard previously mentioned the game is still a long way off, with rumors suggesting a 2027 or 2028 release, and the majority of Bethesda Game Studios staff are currently focused on its development.
Xbox’s Matt Booty Confirms Elder Scrolls VI Is “Coming Along Well”, But Don’t Expect a Reveal Just Yet
Xbox's Matt Booty confirmed that The Elder Scrolls VI is progressing well and he has seen it running at Bethesda. While no release window or trailer was provided, Booty emphasized that the game will be revealed at the right time to showcase its best aspects. This update offers a positive sign for fans who have been anticipating the sequel since its initial tease in 2018.
Evening Consolidation
Xbox is reportedly planning further layoffs as CEO Phil Spencer calls for an "Xbox reset." In separate news, the award-winning adventure game The Drifter is set to launch on Nintendo Switch later this month.
The Elder Scrolls 6 Is Still Nowhere to Be Seen, 8 Years Later
Eight years after its initial announcement, The Elder Scrolls 6 remains in development with no official release date or gameplay revealed. Xbox chief Matt Booty stated the game looks amazing and is progressing well, but Bethesda Game Studios is prioritizing showing it at the right time. Despite updates from Todd Howard indicating it has passed playable milestones and is built on Creation Engine 3, the prolonged silence has led to speculation and frustration among fans, especially considering the development timelines of other major titles like Starfield.
Spyro: A Realm Beyond dev explains how fans helped make the game possible
Toys for Bob, now independent, is developing Spyro: A Realm Beyond, with studio head Paul Yan crediting fan demand and the success of Spyro Reignited Trilogy for making the new game possible. Yan highlighted consistent fan requests at gaming events as a key factor in pitching the project to Xbox.
Uppgift: stora uppsägningar på Xbox inom kort
Xbox is reportedly planning significant layoffs next month due to declining revenues, according to sources speaking to Bloomberg. In an internal memo, Xbox leadership acknowledged that falling revenues despite substantial investments cannot continue. This potential wave of job cuts follows several previous rounds of layoffs at Microsoft and Xbox since 2023.
New Xbox Exec Advocates For Something Everyone Hates To Help Save Gaming
Xbox Chief Strategy Officer Matthew Ball suggests that in-game advertising could be a solution to rising development costs and consumer reluctance to pay more for games. He points to the success of ad-supported tiers in streaming services as a model. Ball acknowledges past negative reactions to in-game ads but argues that companies need to explore such revenue streams to keep products affordable and fund development.
The Elder Scrolls 6 "Looks Amazing," According to XBOX CCO Matt Booty
Xbox CCO Matt Booty stated that The Elder Scrolls 6, currently in development at Bethesda, "looks amazing" and is progressing well. Booty, who has seen the game in action, emphasized that the team is waiting for the right moment to officially reveal it. Todd Howard also commented that the studio is returning to the classic Elder Scrolls style for the upcoming title.
Xbox's new chief strategy officer is still a big believer in in-game ads
Matthew Ball, the new chief strategy officer for Xbox, believes in-game advertising will become more prevalent in PC and console games as a vital revenue stream. He argues that rising development and hardware costs necessitate new monetization strategies to keep games affordable for consumers and ensure industry growth, drawing parallels to the success of ad-supported tiers in streaming services.
Morning Consolidation
Xbox is undergoing a reset in its next 100 days, with announcements regarding The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero and Trails to Azure's release dates. Additionally, a release trailer for Urban Jungle on Nintendo Switch has been shared.
A New Xbox Memo Points to a Tough Reset and a Possible 2027 Launch for Helix
A leaked internal memo from Xbox CEO Asha Sharma outlines a significant "Xbox Reset" initiative, addressing a severe hardware component crisis and declining revenue. The memo suggests Project Helix could launch in Holiday 2027, with potential layoffs also indicated. The reset may have also strained relationships with PlayStation due to last-minute exclusivity decisions for titles like Gears of War: E-Day.
Fable Shouldn’t Have Run Scared From Grand Theft Auto 6
Microsoft's decision to delay Fable until February 2027, citing the impending release of Grand Theft Auto 6, is questioned. The article argues that the market is large enough for multiple successful game launches and that Fable could have co-existed with Grand Theft Auto 6, especially since the latter is console-exclusive at launch. The piece suggests that such delays signal self-doubt rather than strategic market positioning.
Xbox’s ‘reset’ will reportedly mean layoffs, Ubisoft closes studios while hiding the news under embargo
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma and head of Xbox Game Studios Matt Booty discussed a 'reset' for the brand, hinting at upcoming layoffs. Concurrently, Ubisoft has shut down studios in Winnipeg and Belgrade, affecting approximately 380 employees, with additional layoffs in San Francisco. Reports also suggest Ubisoft embargoed news of these closures to the press.
A playable version of The Elder Scrolls 6 exists, and apparently, it "looks amazing"
Xbox Chief Content Officer Matt Booty confirmed that a playable version of The Elder Scrolls 6 exists and "looks amazing." While the game was not shown at the Xbox Games Showcase, Booty stated that Bethesda director Todd Howard has seen the game and is pleased with its progress. An official release date remains unknown, with Howard previously indicating it will still be a while before the game is ready.
Xbox Reportedly Preparing Major Layoffs as Gaming Division Faces Restructure | Invision Game Community
Xbox is reportedly preparing for significant layoffs and a wider restructuring within Microsoft's gaming division. This move is expected to occur after the company's financial year ends and may involve streamlining teams and shifting resources towards subscription services and cloud gaming.
Xbox preparing for mass layoffs as Project Helix implied for Christmas 2027
Xbox 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.
Report – Major layoffs to hit Xbox as CEO claims it is “not in a healthy spot”
Xbox is reportedly planning significant layoffs next month as new CEO Asha Sharma aims to "reset the business," which she described as "not in a healthy spot." These cuts are expected after June 30th and will be accompanied by reduced marketing budgets and other cost-saving measures. Sharma also indicated a need to reconsider the "Project Helix" business model due to the AI chip crisis and stated that the platform's current infrastructure is not optimized for future challenges.
Xbox Pulled Halo From State Of Play, It’s Claimed
Xbox is reportedly reconsidering its strategy by reinstating exclusives like Gears of War. This shift may also involve pulling a Halo trailer from a PlayStation event, potentially straining relations between the two companies and sparking speculation.