Xbox Game Studios
Hardware, storefront and ecosystem news for Xbox Game Studios.
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Ori Dev CEO Says Xbox Was Too Focused On Protecting Its Legacy To Build Its Future
Moon Studios CEO Thomas Mahler believes Xbox's focus on legacy intellectual properties like Halo, Gears of War, and Forza hindered its ability to cultivate new talent and games. He suggests that Xbox should prioritize empowering creative individuals and teams who understand the gaming audience, rather than relying solely on nostalgia.
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.
Xbox Game Studios-chef lämnar – efter 20 månader
Craig Duncan, head of Xbox Game Studios, has resigned after only 20 months, with chief of staff Louise O'Connor also departing. This follows recent news of potential studio closures and layoffs within Microsoft's gaming division. The departures occur amidst a strategic shift for Xbox, including price adjustments to Game Pass and a re-evaluation of multi-platform releases.
Halo: Campaign Evolved reignites Halo's longest-running argument
Halo: Campaign Evolved, a remake of Halo: Combat Evolved, will introduce sprinting, a feature absent in the original but present in later installments. Creative director Max Szlagor and executive producer Damon Conn discuss how the addition of sprinting and other features like destructible vehicles are intended to modernize the gameplay while remaining faithful to the original's tone and challenge.
Microsoft reportedly negotiating closures of multiple Xbox studios, including Psychonauts' Double Fine, South of Midnight's Compulsion and Hellblade's Ninja Theory
Microsoft is reportedly negotiating the potential closure of several Xbox game studios, including Compulsion Games, Double Fine, and Ninja Theory. These studios are in talks to buy back their independence to avoid being shut down. This news follows recent reports of budget cuts and layoffs under new Xbox CEO Asha Sharma.
Xbox Studios Facing Possible Closures
A report indicates that several studios under Microsoft's Xbox Game Studios division, including Compulsion Games and Double Fine, may be facing possible closures. The article details the uncertainty surrounding these developers within the company.
Xbox reportedly looking to spin off several studios to avoid closures
Reports indicate Xbox is considering spinning off several internal studios, including Ninja Theory, Double Fine Productions, and Compulsion Games, to prevent their closure amid rumored layoffs. This follows a memo from Xbox CEO Asha Sharma emphasizing the need for the division to become profitable and sustainable.
Double Fine, Ninja Theory, And More Reportedly Trying To Spin Off From Xbox Game Studios
Following reports of potential layoffs and studio closures at Microsoft, including Compulsion Games, several smaller Xbox Game Studios developers like Double Fine and Ninja Theory are reportedly negotiating to spin off from the publisher. This move aims to avoid closure, though many employees may still lose their jobs. The head of Xbox Game Studios, Craig Duncan, has also departed the company.
Double Fine, Ninja Theory & Compulsion are reportedly negotiating with Microsoft to avoid closures
Multiple Xbox Game Studios developers, including Compulsion Games, Double Fine Productions, and Ninja Theory, are reportedly negotiating with Microsoft to avoid closure and potentially gain independence. While independence could prevent full shutdowns, layoffs are still expected. This news follows an announcement from Xbox CEO about a business 'reset' and restructuring.
Xbox Game Studios head and chief of staff step down as 'Xbox reset' looms
Xbox Game Studios head Craig Duncan and chief of staff Louise O'Connor have stepped down, with their departures coinciding with a planned "Xbox reset" by new leaders Asha Sharma and Matt Booty. The company is reportedly considering significant layoffs and potential studio closures, with Compulsion Games, Double Fine, and Ninja Theory mentioned as being at risk.
With so much uncertainty swelling around Xbox, Senua is the action-adventure shot in the arm that the Hellblade series deserves
Ninja Theory's upcoming action-adventure game, Senua, set for a 2027 release on Xbox Series X, PC, and PlayStation 5, aims to deepen player engagement with more combat, traversal, and puzzle-solving. Studio head Dom Matthews stated that feedback on Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 indicated a desire for more gameplay, leading the team to focus entirely on this new title to enhance combat fluidity and enemy variety. The game is described as a more balanced action-adventure experience, drawing parallels to Enslaved: Odyssey to the West, and will feature a structured narrative within a larger, interconnected world, avoiding an open-world approach.
Rumours suggest multiple Xbox studios are to close
Rumors suggest Microsoft is planning to close multiple Xbox studios, including Compulsion Games and Arkane Studios, with potential spin-offs for Double Fine. The head of Xbox Game Studios, Craig Duncan, has also stepped down amid these reports. These potential closures follow underperforming titles like South of Midnight and Redfall, and broader industry discussions about the sustainability of day-one Game Pass releases.
Minecraft Dungeons 2 is a breath of fresh air after the horrors of Diablo 4
Minecraft Dungeons 2 offers a refreshing take on the action RPG genre, providing a more relaxed and accessible dungeon-crawling experience compared to titles like Diablo 4. The game features up to four-player co-op, an interconnected world with hidden collectibles, and new enemy types like the Twisted Warden. Despite minor issues with character tracking, the sequel introduces quality-of-life improvements such as a mini-inventory system and a more responsive combat experience, aiming for a September 29, 2026 release on PC, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox Series X.
Xbox is reportedly closing South of Midnight studio Compulsion Games after bragging about its award-winning developers…
Xbox is reportedly planning to close Compulsion Games, the studio behind South of Midnight and We Happy Few, just days after announcing impending layoffs. While no official statement has been made, multiple employees have indicated they are seeking new work. This comes despite recent praise from Xbox leadership, including CEO Asha Sharma and Chief Creative Officer Matt Booty, for the studio's award-winning work.
"We didn't make E-Day as a reaction to Gears 5": How The Coalition ripped up the Gears of War playbook to…
The Coalition is developing Gears of War: E-Day, a prequel set on Emergence Day, aiming to recapture the spirit of the original trilogy while rebuilding core mechanics in Unreal Engine 5. The game will feature a more focused, linear experience within the city of Kalona, emphasizing dense combat arenas and fluid movement, and is set for release on PC and Xbox Series X in October 2026.
Xbox is reportedly planning to shut down Compulsion Games
Xbox is reportedly planning to shut down Compulsion Games, the studio behind South of Midnight and We Happy Few. The Peabody-winning studio, acquired by Xbox in 2018, has developed three games since its founding in 2009. Negotiations between Compulsion leadership and Microsoft are reportedly ongoing.
Three Xbox Studios at Risk of Closure, in Talks to Become Independent
Reports indicate that three Xbox first-party developers, Compulsion Games, Double Fine, and Ninja Theory, are at risk of closure and are in negotiations with Microsoft to become independent studios. This news follows recent speculation about potential studio closures within Xbox Game Studios, with CEO Satya Nadella emphasizing the need for Xbox to become a sustainable business.
Several Xbox Studios at Risk of Closure, in Talks to Become Independent
Several Xbox first-party studios, including Compulsion Games, Double Fine, and Ninja Theory, are reportedly at risk of closure and are in negotiations with Microsoft to spin off as independent entities. This news follows comments from CEO Satya Nadella about Xbox needing to become a sustainable business. Compulsion Games' title 'South of Midnight' was recently released on PlayStation 5.
Xbox Game Studios Head Craig Duncan & Chief of Staff Louise O'Conner leave Microsoft
Xbox Game Studios Head Craig Duncan and Chief of Staff Louise O’Conner are leaving Microsoft. Duncan, who previously led Rare for 13 years, stated his purpose was to serve the studios and teams, highlighting successful game launches. O'Conner also had a long tenure at Rare, contributing to titles from Conker's Bad Fur Day to Everwild. Their departures come amid rumors of upcoming layoffs at the end of June.
Report: Two former Rare execs are leaving Xbox
Two former Rare executives, Craig Duncan and Louise O’Connor, are departing from Xbox. Duncan, head of Xbox Game Studios, and O'Connor, chief of staff, leave amidst reports of a 'business reset' and potential layoffs within Xbox. These departures follow a period of significant changes and discussions about the future sustainability of the Xbox division.
