Bleeding Edge
News, coverage and analysis tracking Bleeding Edge across the outlets.- Xbox’s Biggest Problems May Still Be AheadXbox is facing significant internal challenges despite a recent showcase of upcoming games like Gears of War: E-Day. CEO Asha Sharma admitted to substantial financial losses and poor investment returns over the past five years, citing issues with funding franchises and inadequate infrastructure. Reports suggest impending layoffs and potential restructuring, including spinning off Xbox as a subsidiary or forming joint ventures, as Microsoft seeks to make its gaming division a sustainable business.
- Microsoft's Xbox games keep ending up as flops according to new reportA new report indicates that several Xbox games, including Avowed, Hellblade 2, and Forza Motorsport, have significantly underperformed Microsoft's sales and engagement expectations. This comes amid reports of expected layoffs and studio closures at Xbox, with CEO Asha Sharma acknowledging the company has 'over extended' its resources and needs to reassess investment priorities.
- Even with PS5 Ports, Many of Xbox's Games Have Been UnderperfomingAn internal memo from Xbox CEO Asha Sharma revealed that the division is operating at a 3% accountability margin, leading to layoffs. Many of Xbox's first-party games, even those with PlayStation 5 ports, have underperformed in sales and Xbox Game Pass engagement, failing to meet expectations.
- Ninja Theory cancels Project MaraNinja Theory has cancelled its experimental horror title Project Mara to focus all studio resources on the third Hellblade game, Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2. Studio head Dom Matthews stated the decision was made to consolidate the expertise of their 85 creatives onto the Hellblade franchise. Project Mara was intended to be a realistic portrayal of mental terror, while Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice and its sequel are recognized for their depiction of mental health experiences.
- Highguard Joins The List Of Live-Service Games Axed Within Weeks Of LaunchSeveral live-service games, including Highguard, Concord, and RumbleVerse, have been shut down shortly after launch due to issues with player retention and funding. This article examines various titles that failed to sustain their player base or business models, leading to premature closures or development halts.