Phil Spencer
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Further Xbox layoff rounds reportedly planned for this month, November, and January, while a Game Pass overhaul is in the works
Xbox is reportedly planning further rounds of layoffs in November and January, following earlier cuts this year, with a total of 3200 employees expected to be affected. Concurrently, an overhaul of the Xbox Game Pass service is underway, aiming to offer subscribers more granular control over features like cloud gaming and multiplayer. The report also mentions ongoing development of a next-generation handheld console and a future console expected around 2028, with high projected costs.
Gears Of War: E-Day–How’s It Selling? Let’s Unpack Things
Gears of War: E-Day has sold approximately 230,000 copies across Steam and Xbox platforms, with a significant portion of players acquiring it through Game Pass. Analysts suggest that while direct sales are soft, the Game Pass model, including premium upgrades, generated substantial revenue, but questions are being raised about Xbox's overall strategy and its ability to drive console sales.
"A creative idea can save more money than AI can right now" – Glen Schofield on his retirement, Callisto Protocol's development, and the state of AAA
Veteran developer Glen Schofield discusses his retirement from game development, citing frustrations with AAA development costs and management decisions at Krafton during The Callisto Protocol's creation. He expresses a preference for smaller teams and creative-driven projects, and sees potential in AI as a creative tool rather than just a cost-saving measure.
'Xbox is not for sale,' CEO Asha Sharma says
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma stated that the division is not for sale, despite ongoing struggles and rumors of restructuring or spin-offs. Sharma emphasized a commitment to finding the right partnerships and operating model for success, while acknowledging the need for industry disruption. The comments come after significant layoffs and studio closures within Xbox.
The Xbox Cloud Gaming Controller Is Dead, Apparently
Microsoft has reportedly canceled plans for a dedicated Xbox cloud gaming controller, with a spokesperson denying regulatory influence as the reason. This news follows recent changes to the Xbox cloud gaming service, including usage limits and price increases, and the removal of its app from older Samsung TVs. The company also addressed rumors about selling the Xbox division.
Xbox Is Paying A Lot Less Than Normal For Kojima’s Physint, Possibly Under $200 Million – Report
Xbox is reportedly paying significantly less than typical for Hideo Kojima's new game, Physint, with figures possibly under $200 million, a stark contrast to earlier rumors of a $400 million Sony deal. Sony reportedly dropped the project due to budget and delays, while Xbox's agreement also includes film and TV rights. This deal, along with the horror game OD, marks a new publishing partnership between Xbox and Kojima.
Xbox Mythic Achievements roll out to Insiders and are retroactively awarded as far back as Xbox 360 games
Microsoft has officially announced and begun rolling out "Mythic Achievements" for Xbox Insiders, which function similarly to PlayStation's Platinum Trophies. These achievements are awarded for unlocking all other achievements in a game and are retroactively applied to titles as far back as the Xbox 360 era. This feature is part of a broader Achievement and profile update, though a full public release date has not yet been announced.
Microsoft CEO says Xbox is simply 'streamlining' after cutting over 5,750 jobs in three years
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella described the company's extensive layoffs, which have affected over 5,750 employees since October 2023, as 'streamlining' under new Xbox boss Asha Sharma. Despite significant studio closures and job cuts, Nadella expressed confidence in Xbox's intellectual property and its ability to produce great games and achieve growth.
"An Xbox that's only good for launching Steam is like subsidizing Valve's cash register": Ground-zero Xbox veteran says Microsoft needs to pick a lane before Project Helix hits a wall
Former Xbox veteran Jon Kimmich argues that Microsoft must choose between investing in the Xbox platform as a console-centric ecosystem or focusing solely on publishing games across multiple platforms. He criticizes the current 'play anywhere' strategy for diluting the Xbox brand and suggests that the upcoming Project Helix console needs a clear identity beyond simply launching PC games like Steam.
Does Microsoft really want to save Xbox or have they already given up?
Microsoft's recent wave of job cuts within Xbox, affecting hundreds of developers, raises serious questions about the company's commitment to its gaming division. The article suggests these layoffs, coupled with studio restructuring and a lack of clear hardware strategy, indicate a potential winding down of Xbox's ambitions, possibly leading to its eventual sale as a third-party publisher.
Xbox Layoffs Are Not Done Yet
Microsoft has announced an additional 268 layoffs within its Xbox division as part of a broader business reset. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma cited factors like underperforming Game Pass investments and industry hardware crises for the restructuring. Further staff reductions are expected as the company continues its overhaul.
Forza series studios Turn 10 & Playground Games to merge following Xbox layoffs
Following recent Xbox layoffs, Forza Motorsport developer Turn 10 Studios and Forza Horizon/Fable developer Playground Games are merging into a single entity. Both studios will continue to work on their respective franchises and the upcoming Fable game. This organizational change was announced by Xbox Chief Content Officer Phil Spencer.
"Good luck today, Halo friends": After years of rivalry, Call of Duty's creators have taken charge of Xbox's defining FPS series amid yet more layoffs
Microsoft has significantly restructured its Xbox gaming division, placing the Halo franchise under Activision's development leadership while demoting Halo Studios to a support role. This move is accompanied by substantial layoffs affecting 268 employees across various first-party studios, including Halo Studios. The article highlights the historical rivalry between Halo and Call of Duty and expresses concern for the affected employees.
Hideo Kojima Doesn’t Know If Physint Will Be Xbox Exclusive
Hideo Kojima has stated that he does not know if his new spy game, Physint, will be exclusive to Xbox, despite Sony reportedly dropping the title. Xbox is now publishing the game, and Kojima mentioned Microsoft's ambition to reach the largest possible audience. Physint, along with Kojima's horror game OD, are both in early development with no release dates announced.
Xbox CEO Aims to Fix Company by Being Transparent
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma is implementing a leadership style focused on transparency, which contrasts with her predecessor Phil Spencer. Sharma aims to improve communication about successes and failures across Xbox divisions, emphasizing 'Clarity is kindness.' This approach comes amidst significant layoffs and a strategic refocus on core business areas.
After Death Stranding missed expectations, Sony reportedly axed Physint because Hideo Kojima's Metal Gear successor is over budget, years away, missing deadlines, and not a true exclusive
Sony Interactive Entertainment has reportedly canceled Hideo Kojima's action-espionage game, Physint, due to budget overruns, missed deadlines, and its perceived lack of true exclusivity. The project has since been picked up by Microsoft and Xbox. This decision follows disappointing sales for Kojima's previous titles, Death Stranding, and a shift in Sony's strategy away from PC releases and towards console exclusivity.
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma is "not going to shoot my dog," says now-independent Double Fine boss Tim Schafer, who initially opposed Microsoft ownership because "you guys love closing studios"
Double Fine has regained its independence from Microsoft, with founder Tim Schafer expressing relief that new Xbox CEO Asha Sharma is not planning to close studios. Schafer initially opposed the acquisition due to Microsoft's history of studio closures, but found the experience under Phil Spencer and Matt Booty to be largely positive until recent leadership changes. The studio announced its new game, Thank You Bus Driver, shortly after regaining independence, though it also had to lay off 23 employees.
Future imperfect: Five predictions for the next decade | Opinion
This opinion piece predicts five key trends for the next decade in the game industry, including slowing budget growth, the impact of AI on user-generated content, a shift in the industry's center of gravity towards Asia and emerging markets, increasing market concentration, and larger indie breakouts. The author acknowledges current industry apprehension but distinguishes it from past crashes, emphasizing the medium's established status.
It's really starting to look like a new StarCraft game will be revealed at BlizzCon
Speculation is mounting that a new StarCraft game will be revealed at BlizzCon 2026, fueled by reports of Nexon developing a new title and unusual activity on the StarCraft website. While a StarCraft 3 RTS is possible, hints suggest a shooter might be more likely, aligning with Microsoft's strategy.
Asha Sharma gives a positive response about the rising cost of tech
Xbox Executive Vice President and CEO Asha Sharma discussed the rising cost of gaming hardware and the impact of Artificial Intelligence during an interview at Gamescom. Sharma acknowledged challenges like component shortages and the need for innovation in affordability, while the article criticizes the perceived dismissal of concerns over GPU and CPU price hikes driven by AI demand.
