Game Development
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Double Fine, Ninja Theory, and more Xbox studios reportedly at risk of closure
Microsoft's Xbox division is reportedly considering closure for several studios, including Double Fine and Ninja Theory, as part of a "reset" under new CEO Asha Sharma. While some studios like Double Fine are in negotiations to spin off, job losses are expected. This comes after a period of significant studio acquisitions by Microsoft, including Bethesda and Activision Blizzard.
Bloomberg Report Claims Ninja Theory, Double Fine And Compulsion Are Fighting To Avoid Closure
Reports suggest that Ninja Theory, Double Fine, and Compulsion Games are at risk of closure as part of Xbox's ongoing restructuring. These concerns arise amid declining sales and increasing development costs within Microsoft's gaming division.
Double Fine, Ninja Theory reportedly among multiple Xbox studios rushing to negotiate an exit as Microsoft plans more…
Microsoft's Xbox division is reportedly planning further studio closures and restructuring, with Double Fine, Ninja Theory, and Compulsion Games in negotiations to spin off independently. New Xbox CEO Asha Sharma and CCO Matt Booty have indicated the current business model is unsustainable, leading to expected layoffs and studio cuts, following the recent closure of Tango Gameworks.
Xbox is reportedly considering closing South of Midnight studio, Compulsion Games, with Double Fine and Ninja Theory also allegedly at risk
Xbox is reportedly considering closing several of its game development studios, including Compulsion Games, the developer of South of Midnight, and potentially Double Fine and Ninja Theory. Leadership at Compulsion Games is reportedly in negotiations regarding the studio's future, amidst broader reports of potential layoffs and restructuring within Microsoft's gaming division.
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.
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.
Professional Game Testing Services: What They Cover and How to Choose the Right QA Partner - Walkthrough, Tips, Review
Professional game testing services are crucial for reducing launch risks by identifying edge cases, crashes, and bugs before release. A comprehensive QA process goes beyond bug lists, delivering test strategies, actionable reports, regression cycles, and release readiness notes. Choosing the right QA partner involves assessing their process, platform/genre fit, team stability, device coverage, and communication.
Treyarch studio head Mark Gordon to depart
Treyarch studio head Mark Gordon is stepping down after 22 years with the Call of Duty developer. Gordon, who served as studio head since 2016 and previously as chief technology officer, will be replaced by Kevin Hendrickson and Yale Miller as co-studio heads. His tenure saw the development of numerous Call of Duty titles, including the Black Ops series.
Super Street Fighter 2 Turbo is still coming to the Commodore 64/128 by RetroGL!
RetroGL has released an updated work-in-progress version of Super Street Fighter II Turbo for the Commodore 64 and Commodore 128, utilizing his RetroFighter engine. This homebrew adaptation is based on the Game Boy Advance version and includes AI adjustments, UI graphic improvements, and new wrestling-style throws. The game requires an EasyFlash or Kung Fu Flash cartridge for execution.
Nintendo’s amended infringement suit against Palworld may result in a ‘chump change’ payout
Nintendo's copyright infringement lawsuit against Palworld developer Pocketpair is expected to yield minimal financial returns for Nintendo, according to legal analysis. The company amended its claims to focus on older versions of the game, significantly limiting potential damages to around $30,000 USD. Meanwhile, Pocketpair's John Buckley advises players to start fresh for the game's full release on July 10th due to fundamental changes.
Lost Skies’ patch built ‘after hours’ is live with treasure changes and ship scanning
A new patch for the survival sandbox game Lost Skies has been released, featuring improvements to island loading, ship part scanning, and treasure chest mechanics. The update was reportedly developed by a dedicated team at Bossa Studios outside of normal working hours, leading to community speculation about the publisher Balor Games and the game's development roadmap.
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.
Treyarch boss Mark Gordon resigns after 22 years
Treyarch studio head Mark Gordon is resigning after 22 years with the company. Gordon, who joined in 2005 and became studio head in 2016, oversaw numerous Call of Duty titles. Kevin Hendrickson and Yale Miller will take over as co-studio heads.
"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.
Indie MMO Hollowed Oath embraces parkour and kung fu lifestyles
The indie MMORPG Hollowed Oath has received a significant update to its locomotion system, introducing parkour mechanics and a kung fu-inspired unarmed stance. The development update also included improvements to stackable items, quest XP scaling, new abilities, and male and female Dwarf models, alongside groundwork for future zones.
Xbox Closing We Happy Few, South Of Midnight Developer Compulsion Games – Report
Microsoft is reportedly planning to close Canadian developer Compulsion Games, known for We Happy Few and South of Midnight, as part of a broader restructuring of its Xbox division. This move could impact over 90 employees, and follows recent reports of potential closures for Arkane Studios. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma alluded to difficult changes ahead to improve economic stability.
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.