Matt Booty
Reporting and statements that mention Matt Booty.
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"There has to be a reason for people to buy an Xbox" – Senior leadership reinforces commitment to console exclusivity
Xbox leadership is reinforcing its commitment to console exclusivity, stating that exclusive games are necessary to provide players with a reason to purchase an Xbox. This decision follows a period where some Xbox titles were released on PlayStation and Nintendo Switch. Upcoming games like Gears of War: E-Day and Clockwork Revolution will be platform exclusives, while others like Forza Horizon 6 and Fable will remain multiplatform.
Xbox Wants a “Reliable Pipeline” of Exclusives, But Fans Shouldn’t “Overly Fixate” on Single-Player
Xbox's chief strategy officer Matthew Ball stated that the company needs a reliable pipeline of exclusive games to drive platform growth, even if some titles like Fable and Clockwork Revolution will also release on PlayStation 5. While large live-service games will remain multiplatform, Matt Booty indicated that single-player games are not strictly bound to exclusivity. Gears of War: E-Day is confirmed for Xbox Series X/S and PC, with Fable and Clockwork Revolution also slated for multiplatform releases.
Bethesda Director Todd Howard Says He Has No Plans to Retire Anytime Soon
Bethesda game director Todd Howard stated in an interview that he has no immediate plans for retirement, citing his passion for his work and colleagues as motivation. He also touched upon the recent layoffs at Bethesda, describing it as a difficult period for the company. Howard is currently leading development on The Elder Scrolls 6 and is involved with new Fallout projects, including remasters and Fallout 5.
Xbox exec tells fans not to "overly fixate on single-player" games becoming console exclusives because…
Xbox's CCO Matt Booty stated that fans should not "overly fixate on single-player" games becoming console exclusives, as the strategy is not set in stone. While titles like Gears of War: E-Day will remain exclusive to Xbox Series X|S and PC, other games, including live-service titles and potentially some single-player games like The Elder Scrolls 6, may launch on multiple platforms.
Pitches for a co-op Doom, a new Perfect Dark, and a John Wick-inspired cyberpunk game were cooking at id Software before Microsoft layoffs reportedly led to 136 job cuts
id Software reportedly had multiple projects in development, including a new Perfect Dark, a John Wick-inspired cyberpunk game titled Fury, and a multiplayer Doom title, before significant layoffs occurred. These pitches were made after the completion of Doom: The Dark Ages' Revelations DLC, and the studio's future now seems uncertain as Xbox reportedly pushes for faster releases of major franchises like The Elder Scrolls 6 and Fallout 5.
Xbox boss Asha Sharma pins layoffs on Phil Spencer's regime spreading the company "too thin", while claiming a "a healthy Xbox" could weather the RAM storm
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma attributes recent layoffs and studio closures to a strategy of spreading resources too thin under Phil Spencer's leadership. Sharma suggested that a healthier Xbox would have been better equipped to handle the current hardware crisis, implying that the company's current struggles are a direct result of past strategic decisions.
The Elder Scrolls 6 is Still Two or More Years Away – Rumor
According to journalist Jason Schreier, The Elder Scrolls 6 is still at least two years away from release. Bethesda and Microsoft have remained silent on official details, though Todd Howard described it as their biggest current project. Development is reportedly progressing well, with most of Bethesda's staff focused on the highly anticipated RPG.
There Is No Reason To Buy Another PlayStation Or Xbox
The author argues that upcoming PlayStation and Xbox consoles will be too expensive and lack compelling reasons to purchase, especially with the shift to digital-only distribution. Concerns are raised about the impact on the used games market, accessibility for players with poor internet, and the overall viability of the console market as attention shifts to mobile and other forms of entertainment.
Blizzard devs in the dark for now as president of the World of Warcraft and Diablo studio says they "can expect to hear more" soon about Microsoft's plan for the studio as Xbox faces 3,200 job cuts
Amid significant layoffs impacting approximately 3,200 positions at Xbox, Blizzard Entertainment president Johanna Faries has communicated to staff that more details regarding the studio's future under Microsoft will be shared soon. While Blizzard's major franchises like World of Warcraft and Diablo appear largely untouched for now, the company is bracing for potential restructuring and changes in the coming months.
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.
Xbox are parting ways with Double Fine, Arkane, Undead Labs, Compulsion, and Ninja Theory in the course of thousands of layoffs
Microsoft has announced significant layoffs affecting 3200 employees and is parting ways with five Xbox-owned studios: Double Fine, Arkane, Undead Labs, Compulsion Games, and Ninja Theory. Some studios will become independent or find new ownership, while Arkane's future is uncertain. CEO Asha Sharma cited rising costs, underperforming acquisitions, and a challenging industry landscape as reasons for the "reset."
Xbox pulls funding for 007 First Light dev's new fantasy RPG, prompting layoffs as Microsoft insists "we're not reducing our overall investment in games"
Xbox has withdrawn funding for IO Interactive's upcoming online fantasy RPG, Project Fantasy, leading to layoffs at the developer. Microsoft stated that while overall investment in games remains the same, the company is shifting its investment focus. IO Interactive confirmed its commitment to completing the game despite the funding change.
Fresh off of dumping on Xbox's flailing, former Sony exec says PlayStation's pullback from PC releases…
Former Sony executive Shawn Layden criticized both Xbox's strategy and Sony's recent pullback from releasing games on PC. He argued that bringing PlayStation titles to PC was crucial for brand awareness across other media, even if it didn't directly lead to hardware sales. The discussion also touches on the current strength of the PC market and Microsoft's continued commitment to PC releases for its exclusives.
Xbox cuts rumoured to be the ‘largest single layoff event’ in gaming history
Reports suggest that Xbox is planning a significant round of layoffs, potentially the largest in gaming history, impacting multiple studios including Undead Labs, Ninja Theory, Compulsion Games, and Double Fine. Game designer George Broussard claims to have inside information indicating widespread studio closures and job cuts across the Xbox division following the end of its fiscal year.
It's not layoffs, but you can see them from here: Numerous Compulsion Games employees are looking for new jobs
Numerous employees at Microsoft-owned Compulsion Games are reportedly looking for new jobs, with some indicating they have been given permission to do so due to impending layoffs. While not officially confirmed as layoffs by studio leadership, the situation mirrors reports of potential closures and job cuts at other Xbox studios like Double Fine and Ninja Theory. These expected layoffs are anticipated to occur in early July, following the end of Microsoft's fiscal year.
Analysts attempt to make sense of Xbox's latest exclusivity pivot
Xbox is undergoing another strategic shift regarding game exclusivity, moving from a multiplatform approach back towards select console exclusives. This pivot, occurring under new leadership, aims to re-establish reasons for consumers to invest in the Xbox ecosystem, balancing a console business with a platform-agnostic publishing strategy.
The Elder Scrolls 6 Director Says “We Know We Need to Get it Right”
Bethesda director Todd Howard stated that The Elder Scrolls 6 is currently the studio's largest project, with the majority of the team working on it. He emphasized the importance of getting the game right due to the long development time. Xbox's Matt Booty also confirmed the game is progressing well and will be revealed at the appropriate moment, noting it utilizes the Creation Engine 3.
Sea of Thieves is becoming a live-action movie, the Gears of War film apparently has a plot, and Microsoft's considering bringing the Halo TV show back
Microsoft is expanding its entertainment ventures beyond gaming, with a live-action Sea of Thieves movie in development and plot details emerging for the Gears of War film. The company is also considering reviving the Halo TV series. These projects highlight Microsoft's strategy to leverage its game franchises across various media platforms, even as the company faces potential restructuring and studio closures.
Xbox boss declares Call Of Duty is bigger than Marvel and the MCU
Xbox boss Asha Sharma has claimed that the Call of Duty franchise is financially larger than the Marvel Cinematic Universe, citing revenue figures. While acknowledging Call of Duty's significant financial success, the article notes that the MCU has generated more cultural fervor and hype, particularly with recent trailer view counts. Sharma also highlighted the success of Xbox's video game adaptations like Fallout and Minecraft, and announced plans for a Sea of Thieves live-action movie.
Netflix's Gears of War movie sounds like it will be set just before the events of the first game
Netflix's upcoming Gears of War movie will serve as a prequel, focusing on the origin story of Delta Squad and their fight against the Locust creatures. Xbox executive Matt Booty highlighted the 'Never Fight Alone' theme as a strong narrative starting point. The film's setting appears to precede the events of the original Gears of War game, potentially aligning with the timeline of the recently announced Gears of War: E-Day.
