Franchise Management
Ongoing coverage on Franchise Management.
Latest coverage
Xbox Layoffs Hit Id Software And ZeniMax As Focus Shifts To Bigger Franchises
Xbox is undergoing its most significant restructure in history, with approximately 20% of its workforce being laid off. This includes significant staff reductions at Id Software and ZeniMax Online Studios, though these developers will remain operational. Xbox leadership stated the company will focus on higher-priority projects and major franchises, assuring that no previously announced first-party games will be canceled as part of these changes.
Capcom says they want to grow the Mega Man franchise
Capcom has expressed its intention to expand the Mega Man franchise, aiming to introduce its appeal to a wider audience. With the series' 40th anniversary approaching in 2027 and the upcoming release of Mega Man: Dual Override, the company plans strategic initiatives to grow the iconic intellectual property.
Xbox is closing down studios to help fund more Halo claim insiders
Xbox is reportedly planning significant layoffs and studio closures as part of a strategy to reallocate resources towards key franchises like Halo, The Elder Scrolls, and Fallout. Insiders suggest this move aims to revitalize struggling IPs and address issues with post-launch support, particularly for Halo Infinite. Several studios, including Ninja Theory and Double Fine, are rumored to be at risk.
Ubisoft hires former Take-Two and Amazon vet to head up its Tom Clancy games
Ubisoft has hired Christoph Hartmann, formerly of Take-Two Interactive and Amazon Game Studios, to lead its "Creative House 2." This new division will oversee major Tom Clancy franchises including The Division, Ghost Recon, and Splinter Cell. Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot expressed confidence in Hartmann's ability to build and elevate these established game series.
Former 2K Games President Joins Ubisoft’s Creative House 2 as Its New General Manager
Christoph Hartmann, former president of 2K Games, has been appointed as the new general manager for Ubisoft's Creative House 2. He will oversee Tom Clancy franchises including The Division, Ghost Recon, and Splinter Cell. Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot expressed confidence in Hartmann's leadership to build lasting franchises.
Ubisoft appoints former 2K and Amazon exec Christoph Hartmann to lead Creative House 2, overseeing Splinter Cell, The Division and Ghost Recon
Ubisoft has appointed industry veteran Christoph Hartmann as General Manager of its newly formed Creative House 2. This business unit will oversee major franchises including Splinter Cell, The Division, and Ghost Recon, as well as the recently acquired MOBA game March of Giants. Hartmann previously founded 2K Games and led Amazon's games division.
Call of Duty is “Bigger Than The Marvel Cinematic Universe”, Claims Xbox CEO
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma and CCO Matt Booty discussed the immense success and cultural impact of Xbox's franchises in an interview with Entertainment Weekly. Sharma claimed Call of Duty is larger than the Marvel Cinematic Universe, while Booty detailed upcoming adaptations for Gears of War and the continued investment in Halo.
Sonic Team head talks about how SEGA was once ready to stop making Sonic games
Sonic Team head Takashi Iizuka revealed that SEGA considered discontinuing Sonic games during a period of downturns, even after the Sonic Boom series. He stated that the company was ready to stop making Sonic games at one point, and he was tasked with revitalizing the franchise. Iizuka credits fan support for the series' current success and the continued investment in new titles.
New Xbox CEO reportedly pushing for faster Fallout and Elder Scrolls games as Bethesda crosses 8 years since The Elder…
New Xbox CEO Asha Sharma is reportedly pushing for faster development cycles on major franchises like Fallout, The Elder Scrolls, and Halo by providing additional funding to studios like Bethesda Game Studios. This initiative comes as The Elder Scrolls 6 approaches eight years since its announcement with little information released, and amid reports of upcoming layoffs within Microsoft's gaming division.
George Miller reportedly wants to make a final Mad Max movie and TV show, but Fury Road distributor Warner Bros has…
Director George Miller is reportedly seeking to sell the Mad Max franchise after Warner Bros declined to produce a final movie and TV show. Warner Bros, the traditional distributor, reportedly lost money on the recent prequel Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga. Interested parties including Universal, Amazon, and Sony are reportedly being approached.
Doctor Who could be off air for 5 years industry insiders predict, but it will survive like "Marvel, Star Wars, and…
Industry insiders predict that Doctor Who could be off the air for up to five years as the BBC puts the series out to tender. Despite concerns from production companies about the show's market viability, comparisons to franchises like Marvel and Star Wars suggest it has long-term potential if managed correctly. Showrunner Russell T Davies and Bad Robot have departed the series, adding to the uncertainty surrounding its future.
Red Dead Online Has Been “Immensely Successful And Long-Lasting”, per Take-Two’s CEO
Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick stated that Red Dead Online has been "immensely successful and long-lasting," denying it was a missed opportunity despite development focus shifting to Grand Theft Auto 6. He highlighted Red Dead Redemption 2's continued sales success, attributing it to the franchise's spectacular entertainment value and visual quality.
Embracer 'Actively Exploring' External Partnerships for the Likes of Saints Row, Deus Ex, TimeSplitters, and More
Embracer Group is establishing a new business unit called Fellowship Entertainment to manage and revitalize dormant franchises such as Saints Row, Deus Ex, and TimeSplitters, alongside existing IPs like The Lord of the Rings and Tomb Raider. The company is actively seeking external partnerships to achieve this.
Capcom Lists Dead Rising as One of Its 'Leading Brands' That It's 'Nurturing' — but Does That Mean Dead Rising 5?
Capcom has identified Dead Rising as one of its 'leading brands' that it is actively nurturing for future growth. This statement was made in the company's latest earnings report, sparking speculation about a potential Dead Rising 5.
Ken Levine On Why He Quit Making BioShock Games--"Scary And Risky And Crazy"
Veteran game developer Ken Levine explains his decision to step away from the BioShock series after BioShock Infinite, citing a desire for new creative challenges and a feeling of having nothing more to say within that world. He discusses the risks involved in leaving a successful franchise and how established series can define their creators. Levine's new game, Judas, developed by Ghost Story Games, reportedly contains much of BioShock's DNA.
Ryan Reynolds says Deadpool "works best on scarcity and surprise," so he's not planning on playing the Marvel character again any time soon
Ryan Reynolds stated that he is not planning to reprise his role as Deadpool in the near future, emphasizing that the character works best with scarcity and surprise. He maintains a good relationship with Marvel and is open to future conversations about the character, while also focusing on his writing.
Take-Two Boss Gives Hope For LA Noire 2 And Other Sequels
Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick has expressed optimism about future sequels for the company's franchises, including L.A. Noire and Bully, though no concrete announcements were made. Zelnick stated that Take-Two is constantly evaluating its intellectual properties for potential future installments. The company also aims to become the number one entertainment company globally, with Grand Theft Auto 6 set for release in November.
Game of Thrones fans have "long term-expectations" and "don't really want to wait a couple years for every installment," Warner Bros. exec says
Warner Bros. executive acknowledges fan expectations for timely releases of Game of Thrones spin-off content. While "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms" and "House of the Dragon" season 3 are recent or upcoming, the company aims to avoid multi-year gaps between installments in the popular franchise.
Monster Hunter Wilds Monsters Join Turn-Based RPG Stories 3
Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection has launched a crossover event, allowing players to recruit monsters from Monster Hunter Wilds as allies. This integration includes iconic creatures like Arkveld, whose Kinship Attack is "Final Rampage," and features a new locale inspired by Wilds' Windward Plains. Capcom is also offering bonus content for players who own Monster Hunter Wilds, such as the Hope armor layered set.
Mega Man Lead Producer Outlines Capcom's Strategy for Growing the IP's Games
Capcom producer Shingo Izumi outlined the company's long-term strategy for the Mega Man franchise, aiming to balance new game development with legacy collections as the series approaches its 40th anniversary. This approach includes alternating between new titles and collection releases to maintain a consistent presence and grow the fanbase. Mega Man Star Force Legacy Collection is available now, and Mega Man Dual Override is in development for multiple platforms.