Clockwork Revolution
News, coverage and analysis tracking Clockwork Revolution across the outlets.
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Amid reports of closures to Ninja Theory and Compulsion Games, Xbox Game Studios CEO Craig Duncan is stepping down from…
Xbox Game Studios CEO Craig Duncan and chief of staff Louise O'Connor are stepping down amid reports of significant layoffs and the closure of studios like Ninja Theory, Compulsion Games, and Double Fine. Duncan, who previously led Rare for 14 years, had been CEO for less than two years. These changes follow a strategic "Xbox reset" outlined by CEO Asha Sharma.
Upcoming Xbox Exclusives Are Being Sent Out To Die, Analyst Says; Xbox Pushes Back
Analyst Rhys Elliott claims Microsoft is intentionally setting upcoming Xbox exclusives like Gears of War: E-Day and Clockwork Revolution up for failure to transition away from console hardware. Xbox's Matthew Ball denies rumors of reversing course on exclusives, stating they will remain exclusive and that Microsoft plans to release signature exclusives annually. The article also touches on potential studio closures and layoffs within Xbox due to financial struggles.
Xbox’s real exclusivity problem is they don’t make games people want - Reader’s Feature
A reader argues that Xbox's primary issue is a lack of desirable games, not its exclusivity policies. Despite owning major studios like Activision Blizzard and Bethesda, the author believes Xbox has been mismanaged for over a decade, leading to a decline in relevance and a lack of compelling titles that justify purchasing an Xbox Series X console.
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.
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 reportedly preparing for "significant" lay-offs, as Asha Sharma's big "reset" plan comes into full force
Xbox is reportedly preparing for significant layoffs and budget cuts as part of new CEO Asha Sharma's business reset plan. A memo outlines the company's financial challenges, including decreased revenue and a low accountability margin, and addresses rising hardware costs due to generative AI. The company is also focusing on console exclusivity for upcoming titles like Gears of War: E-Day.
Xbox Finally Has Big Exclusives Again, But Gamers Are Still Confused
Xbox is facing confusion regarding its exclusive game strategy, with recent announcements like Gears of War: E-Day and Clockwork Revolution being console exclusives while other titles remain multiplatform. This shift back towards exclusives, despite years of opening up its games, has led to criticism about inconsistent communication and strategy from Microsoft executives like Asha Sharma and Matthew Ball. The article questions the long-term viability and clarity of this approach, especially concerning future titles and the impact on player trust.
Yet more layoffs reported at Ubisoft, this time in San Francisco
Ubisoft has reportedly laid off dozens of employees from its San Francisco studio as part of an ongoing restructuring, following studio closures in Winnipeg and Belgrade. Meanwhile, Xbox is also reportedly planning significant layoffs and budget cuts across marketing and other areas as new CEO Asha Sharma initiates a "reset" for the business, aiming to improve efficiency and player value.
Xbox reportedly planning more layoffs as "CEO calls for "Xbox reset"
Xbox is reportedly planning significant layoffs and budget cuts as new CEO Asha Sharma initiates a "reset" for the business. The company aims to become more self-reliant in engineering and re-evaluate investment priorities over the next five years. This comes amid declining revenue and a focus on exclusive titles and subscription service growth.
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma and executive vice president Matt Booty publish staff memo ‘Next 100 Days: Xbox Reset’
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma and EVP Matt Booty have outlined a 'reset' plan for the company, acknowledging declining core revenue despite significant investment. The memo details challenges including a hardware component crisis and overextended studio systems, signaling potential major layoffs and restructuring to achieve profitability and a stronger market position.
Xbox posts new memo recapping CEO’s first 100 days, outlines “reset” for the company
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma and CCO Mat Booty have outlined the company's strategic reset following Sharma's first 100 days. The memo addresses challenges including declining revenue, hardware component costs, and studio overextension, while highlighting recent successes in platform updates, Game Pass growth, and new exclusive game announcements like Gears of War: E-Day and Clockwork Revolution.
Next 100 Days: XBOX Reset
An internal message to Xbox employees outlines a 'reset' for the business, highlighting early successes in platform updates, Game Pass growth, and community engagement. The message also addresses significant challenges including declining revenue, a hardware component crisis impacting console production, an overextended studio system, and outdated platform infrastructure, emphasizing the need for strategic adjustments and innovation to become the number one gaming and entertainment company.
Xbox CEO Believes Consoles Are Too Expensive And “Radically Different” Plans Are Needed
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma believes current console pricing is too high for mass audiences and that "radically different" business models are needed for the future. She acknowledged disappointing financial results and stated that Xbox will introduce exclusive content to improve its business health, citing Gears of War: E-Day and Clockwork Revolution as examples.
Gears Of War: E-Day Skipping PS5 Means Reaching Fewer Players, And Microsoft Is OK With That
Microsoft's The Coalition has confirmed that Gears of War: E-Day will not be released on PlayStation 5, opting instead for an Xbox and PC exclusive strategy. Studio creative director Matt Searcy stated that the decision makes sense for the Xbox brand, despite reaching a smaller audience. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma and CCO Matt Booty have emphasized a renewed focus on exclusives to drive platform sales and reward loyal fans.
Xbox Will 'Try to Do More' Console Exclusives if the Health of Its Business Improves
New Xbox CEO Asha Sharma stated that the company will increase console exclusives if its business health improves, citing Gears of War: E-Day and Clockwork Revolution as initial examples. Sharma acknowledged that Xbox's current business is not healthy, but emphasized the goal of making games available everywhere while also maintaining platform exclusivity. She also noted the high cost of components and hinted at radically different business models emerging later this year.
As an RPG fan, these are the 9 new trailers that have made me run to my wishlist this June
This article highlights nine new RPG trailers revealed in June that have excited the author, a self-proclaimed RPG fan. The showcased games span various subgenres and platforms, including Persona 4 Revival, Clockwork Revolution, Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave, Fable, Vampire: The Masquerade – Eternal Whispers, Threads of Time, Exodus, Signet City, and Final Fantasy 7 Revelation.
Xbox admits consoles are becoming unaffordable and hints at 'new business model'
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has indicated that the company is exploring new business models for future consoles due to the current hardware crisis and rising component costs. She suggested that the next Xbox, codenamed Project Helix, may move away from a purely premium, high-performance focus to ensure affordability for a wider audience, potentially through flexible storage options or different pricing strategies.
"Miljoner" lämnade Game Pass efter grova prishöjningen, säger Xbox-chef
Xbox's new strategy chief Matthew Ball stated that millions of subscribers left Game Pass following a significant price hike in October. The most expensive tier increased from 185 to 285 Swedish kronor per month, a change that was partially reversed in March to 215 kronor. This shift in strategy also impacts multiplatform releases, with titles like Gears of War: E-Day and Clockwork Revolution no longer planned for PlayStation 5 or Nintendo Switch.
Gears of War creator Cliff Bleszinski believes Xbox is "steering the 'ship' back in the right direction", as E-Day skips PS5
Gears of War creator Cliff Bleszinski believes Xbox's decision to make Gears of War: E-Day an Xbox console exclusive, rather than releasing it on PlayStation 5, is a positive move for the brand. He suggests that previous multi-platform strategies may have alienated the core Xbox fanbase. The upcoming title will feature Versus and Horde modes and is set to launch on PC and Xbox Series X/S on October 6th.
Xbox CEO outlines strategy to prioritise cost-efficiency and exclusive titles over premium hardware
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma stated that the company will prioritize cost-efficiency and new business models over developing the most premium hardware. She believes consumers are unwilling to spend thousands on consoles and that focusing on distribution and experiences outside of hardware is key. Xbox is also reintroducing exclusive titles like Gears of War: E-Day and Clockwork Revolution to strengthen its platform.
