Studio Acquisitions
Ongoing coverage on Studio Acquisitions.
Latest coverage
Xbox's devastating July was inevitable
The article suggests that Xbox's strategy of acquiring numerous independent studios was an inevitable and potentially unsustainable approach. It implies that owning every great indie studio is neither possible nor desirable in the long term.
"There's a wealth of talent here, our focus is on how to leverage and support it" – Atari appoints Andreas Deptolla as Atari Europe president
Atari has appointed Andreas Deptolla as the new president of Atari Europe, overseeing approximately 100 employees and European headquarters. Richard Snowdon, CEO of Coatsink, has been named vice president of Atari Europe. Deptolla aims to leverage European talent and support acquired studios by focusing on core values and providing expertise in areas like finance and publishing, while also exploring organic growth in distribution and licensing.
'Regarding Arkane… how much?' — Xbox is falling apart and as thousands more are hit with layoffs, I think it's time for someone to save the Dishonored and Marvel's Blade developer before it's too late
Amidst widespread layoffs and studio closures at Xbox, there are concerns about the future of Arkane Studios. The article argues for Arkane's acquisition by another company to preserve its legacy of acclaimed titles like Dishonored and Prey, and to ensure the completion of its current project, Marvel's Blade.
State of Decay 3 Studio Confirms Development is Continuing as it Transitions Out of Xbox
Undead Labs has confirmed that development on State of Decay 3 is continuing as the studio transitions away from Xbox. While details about the new ownership are scarce, the studio expressed optimism about the game's future. This news comes amidst significant layoffs and studio sales within Xbox, affecting other developers like Ninja Theory and Compulsion Games.
Here’s What’s Going On With Marvel’s Blade And Its Developer Amid Xbox “Reset”
Amidst Microsoft's business 'reset' involving layoffs and studio sales, the future of Arkane Lyon and its game Marvel's Blade is uncertain. The French studio is undergoing consultation, with potential outcomes ranging from sale to closure, impacting the development of the delayed and reportedly over-budget Blade game, which was announced in 2023 without gameplay footage.
Xbox acquisitions have been a disaster: "In a typical year, we lost 64 cents for every dollar we invested"
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma revealed that Microsoft's aggressive acquisition strategy has resulted in significant financial losses, with the company losing 64 cents for every dollar invested in typical years since 2018. In response to this unsustainable model, Xbox is undergoing a reset, leading to layoffs and the divestment of several studios, including Compulsion Games, Double Fine, Ninja Theory, and Undead Labs, while others like Arkane Studios are reviewing strategic options.
