Business Strategy
Ongoing coverage on Business Strategy.
Latest coverage
Sony Removes PC Mentions in Annual Report, Discusses Use of AI For Game Development
Sony's latest annual report indicates a shift in business strategy, notably removing mentions of bringing first-party titles to PC and focusing on profitability adjustments due to rising component prices. The company plans to leverage AI for game development to improve productivity and enhance the PlayStation experience, while also continuing cross-media efforts.
Xbox’s Biggest Problems May Still Be Ahead
Xbox 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.
Report: Redundancies at Microsoft owned Zenimax have begun
Microsoft has reportedly begun significant layoffs and studio closures within its Zenimax Media division, which includes Bethesda, id Software, and Arkane Studios. Ninja Theory, Compulsion Games, and Double Fine Productions are also facing potential shutdowns. This news follows recent announcements about Xbox game exclusivity and a reported decline in profitability, indicating a major business reset for the brand.
Xbox Hypes Up Gamescom Return Amid Questions About Its Future
Xbox is confirming its presence at Gamescom, with Gears of War: E-Day headlining playable demos. This comes amid reports of significant internal turmoil, including potential studio closures and layoffs, which Microsoft has disputed. CEO Asha Sharma and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella have alluded to upcoming changes and the need for Xbox to become a more sustainable business.
Microsoft's games are bigger than Xbox. So just scrap Xbox.
This article argues that Microsoft should discontinue the Xbox as a hardware platform due to its financial unsustainability and focus instead on its game development studios. The author suggests spinning off the gaming division into an independent entity to maximize revenue from its vast portfolio of games like Call of Duty and Minecraft, decoupling them from expensive console hardware.
Former PlayStation boss says Xbox shows a "basic misunderstanding" of the games industry amid leadership changes, mixed messaging, and reports of studio closures
Former PlayStation boss Shawn Layden believes Xbox's recent inconsistent actions, including shifts in publishing strategy and reports of studio closures like Ninja Theory, indicate a fundamental misunderstanding of the games industry. Despite denials from figures like Matthew Ball, these moves have fueled an identity crisis for Xbox, leading to confusion among players and raising concerns about the company's health.
Xbox Shows a “Basic Misunderstanding” of the Gaming Industry, Says Former PlayStation Exec
Former PlayStation Studios boss Shawn Layden believes Xbox's recent actions, including impending layoffs and studio closures, demonstrate a fundamental misunderstanding of the gaming industry. This perspective arises amidst reports of significant financial losses and strategic shifts within Microsoft's gaming division, impacting studios like Ninja Theory, Double Fine, and Compulsion Games.
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.
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.
GTA 6 Release Date Confirmed Again By CEO Who Also Explains Why It’s Taking So Long
Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick confirmed that Grand Theft Auto 6 is still on track for its November 19 release date. He explained that the extended development time is due to Rockstar Games' ambition to create an unprecedented experience. Zelnick also shared insights on business integrity and career advice.
Another Xbocalypse begins: Microsoft are reportedly closing or spinning off Double Fine, Ninja Theory and Compulsion
Microsoft's Xbox division is reportedly considering closing or spinning off studios Double Fine, Ninja Theory, and Compulsion Games as part of a broader business restructuring. This follows recent layoffs, game cancellations, and studio closures across Xbox. The affected studios are known for critically acclaimed but not commercially massive titles like Psychonauts, Senua's Saga: Hellblade II, and South of Midnight.
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.
Hellblade Studio Ninja Theory to be Closed by Xbox, Negotiating to Go Independent – Rumor
Reports indicate that Xbox is planning to close Ninja Theory, the developer of the Hellblade franchise, as part of efforts to improve fiscal year accountability margins. Ninja Theory is reportedly negotiating to become an independent studio, similar to efforts by Double Fine and Compulsion Games. These potential closures and layoffs are expected to occur after Microsoft's fiscal year ends on June 30th, driven by declining revenues and rising hardware component costs.
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.
Report: Multiple Xbox game studio heads negotiating with Xbox to avoid closure
Multiple Xbox game studio heads are reportedly negotiating with Microsoft to spin off their studios into independent companies to avoid closure. This comes as Microsoft's gaming division undergoes a 'business reset' and considers major layoffs. Studios like Compulsion Games, developer of South of Midnight, are specifically mentioned as potentially shutting down, though leadership is in talks to preserve their future.
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.
Latest Microsoft victim reportedly being closed after releasing one game since Xbox acquisition
Microsoft is reportedly closing Compulsion Games, the studio behind We Happy Few and South of Midnight, eight years after acquiring it. This move is part of a larger downsizing within Xbox, which has seen thousands of layoffs and is expected to continue. South of Midnight, Compulsion's only release since the 2018 acquisition, received critical acclaim and awards.
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.
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.
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.
