Studio Restructuring
Ongoing coverage on Studio Restructuring.
Latest coverage
Xbox announces a further 268 layoffs as Ninja Theory and Arkane remain on shaky ground
Xbox announced 268 additional layoffs, impacting studios like Halo Studios and XGS management, following a larger restructure initiated by CEO Asha Sharma. Ninja Theory faces potential closure as two acquisition agreements fell through, while Arkane Studios is still under consultation. This latest round of job cuts brings Xbox closer to its planned total of 3,200 redundancies.
Xbox transfers Rare and Halo franchise to Activision, proposes closure of Ninja Theory and confirms another 268 roles cut amid studio restructure
Xbox has announced a significant restructuring, transferring Rare and the Halo franchise to Activision, and proposing the closure of Ninja Theory. The company also confirmed 268 roles have been cut across various studios, including Halo Studios (formerly 343 Industries). Other studios like Obsidian Entertainment have been transferred to Bethesda, while Undead Labs will continue to develop State of Decay 3 with a new publisher.
Xbox’s Second Wave Of Planned Layoffs Is Reportedly Starting As Studios Face Major Restructuring
Xbox is reportedly initiating a second wave of layoffs, affecting approximately 1,600 employees, as part of a major restructuring of its gaming division. This initiative, led by Xbox boss Asha Sharma, aims to make the division more profitable and involves consolidating studios and potentially moving franchises like Halo to Activision Blizzard. Several first-party studios have also recently become independent or been sold off.
Bungie declares it's 'not done with Destiny' as it lays out studio's future
Bungie has announced a renewed focus on the Destiny franchise, aiming to restore vaulted content and recapture the series' original promise. This comes after a period of significant layoffs and underperformance for both Destiny 2 and Marathon, with studio leadership acknowledging a loss of player trust. The company also stated that Marathon will undergo further evolution to better engage players.
Xbox's Separation from Compulsion Games Seems Complete as Studio Is Listed as the Publisher of South of Midnight on Steam
Xbox's relationship with Compulsion Games appears to have concluded, as the developer is now listed as the publisher of its upcoming game South of Midnight on Steam, rather than Xbox Game Studios. This change follows recent layoffs and a broader restructuring within Xbox's gaming division.
"I don't know how anyone remaining at Xbox Studios can feel safe" - New report reveals environment of uncertainty and fear, and a "staggering" loss of institutional knowledge
A new report details an environment of fear and uncertainty within Microsoft's Xbox Studios following recent layoffs, with employees unsure of future cuts and the impact on game development. Studios like id Software and Bethesda Game Studios have lost significant talent, raising concerns about the loss of institutional knowledge and the ability to maintain core franchises and proprietary technology.
Obsidian: "Vi har fortfarande samma dna som vid New Vegas och KOTOR"
Obsidian Entertainment's Brandon Adler addressed criticism regarding the studio's current identity, stating that despite recent layoffs and shifts in project focus, the core 'DNA' remains the same as when they developed games like Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic and Fallout: New Vegas. He emphasized that many lead developers are still the same individuals who worked on previous acclaimed titles.
id Software insists in new statement that it still has "the crew we need to build the games and tech we're known for"
id Software has issued a statement assuring players that despite recent layoffs impacting some teams, the studio retains the necessary talent to create its signature games and technology. The company emphasized that its current team size is comparable to when Doom (2016) was developed and that it remains committed to its flat studio philosophy. This comes in the wake of Microsoft's broader layoffs within its Xbox division, which also affected studios like Obsidian Entertainment, leading to project cancellations and a shift in focus to the Fallout franchise.
Summary: what's happening at Xbox?
Xbox announced a major restructuring involving 3,200 job cuts, with 1,600 immediate layoffs, primarily affecting ZeniMax studios like Bethesda and id Software. Several studios, including Compulsion Games, Double Fine, Ninja Theory, and Undead Labs, are being sold off or spun out as independent entities. This move aims to refocus on high-earning franchises and improve profit margins, impacting the development of upcoming titles like The Elder Scrolls 6 and potentially State of Decay 3.
Xbox After The Layoffs: Studios Left And What They’re Making
Xbox has undergone significant restructuring, including layoffs and the divestment of five studios, as it aims to increase profitability and focus on major intellectual properties. This shake-up impacts numerous development teams and projects across Xbox Game Studios, Activision, Blizzard, and Bethesda, with a renewed focus on core franchises and a shift in business strategies like the exclusion of Call of Duty from Xbox Game Pass day-one launches.
id Software Suffers 90 Layoffs, “Most (If Not All) Coders” and QA Department Let Go – Rumor
id Software has reportedly laid off 90 employees, approximately 50% of its staff, including its entire QA department. This move is part of Xbox's broader "reset" plan, which has already led to significant job cuts across its gaming divisions. The layoffs come shortly after the release of DOOM: The Dark Ages' expansion, Revelations, for PC and current-generation consoles.
Doom developer id Software "is essentially dead," Duke Nukem 3D co-creator says after layoffs reportedly cut…
Following significant layoffs at Xbox, Apogee co-founder George Broussard stated that id Software is "essentially dead" as a development studio, with most of its programming, testing, and Quake Champions teams reportedly cut. Broussard suggests id Software is now relegated to a support role for Bethesda, lamenting the potential loss of the idTech engine. The article also touches on the broader implications of Microsoft's studio sales and layoffs for independent developers.
What exactly is going on with Marvel's Blade? Arkane Lyon's fate remains unclear in the wake of Xbox's controversial 'reset'
Microsoft's Xbox division is undergoing significant layoffs and studio restructuring, impacting Arkane Lyon and its in-development game, Marvel's Blade. While the studio is in consultation due to French labor laws, reports suggest Blade is safe from cancellation despite being over-budget and internally delayed. Todd Howard of Bethesda Game Studios recently expressed positive impressions of the game.
While several Xbox studios regained independence or found new owners yesterday, Arkane's staff must negotiate their own future
Xbox has announced significant restructuring, spinning off five studios and implementing widespread layoffs. While some studios regain independence or find new owners, the fate of Arkane Studios, specifically Arkane Lyon in France, remains undecided as negotiations involving Microsoft, studio management, and employee representatives are ongoing. This situation highlights differing labor law protections between France and the US, with Arkane Lyon's future potentially involving sale, management buyout, or closure.
Report – Xbox cuts around 25% of Obsidian staff
Xbox has initiated significant layoffs across its studios, with Obsidian Entertainment reportedly losing around 25% of its staff, impacting producers, artists, designers, and more. This is part of Microsoft's larger plan to lay off 3,200 employees by June 2027, though Blizzard Entertainment teams have been spared for now. The restructuring aims to shift focus away from smaller acquired studios, but the arbitrary nature of the cuts is causing concern over lost expertise.
As ZeniMax also faces cuts, Xbox seeks a "significant overhaul" to focus on Fallout, The Elder Scrolls, Quake, and other big franchises
Microsoft's Xbox division is undergoing a significant overhaul, including layoffs affecting approximately 3200 jobs and restructuring at ZeniMax Media and Bethesda Softworks. The focus will shift to major franchises like Fallout, The Elder Scrolls, Doom, and Quake, potentially impacting the future of other IPs and studios like Arkane.
Xbox cuts 3,200 staff as four studios to exit Microsoft – Arkane under review
Microsoft has announced significant layoffs affecting approximately 3,200 employees within its Xbox division, with 1,600 staff being let go immediately. Four studios, including Ninja Theory and Undead Labs, are becoming independent or being sold off, while Arkane Lyon's future is under review. This restructuring follows a period of rapid developer acquisitions and aims to refocus Xbox's business strategy.
Xbox is laying off 3,200 people and dumping 4 studios
Xbox announced significant layoffs affecting approximately 3,200 employees and the restructuring of four studios: Compulsion Games, Double Fine, Ninja Theory, and Undead Labs. While Compulsion and Double Fine will become independent, Ninja Theory and Undead Labs are being sold to new management. The company also confirmed reductions across Activision, Bethesda, Blizzard, King, Mojang, and Xbox Game Studios, with CEO Asha Sharma citing the business's unhealthy state and slower-than-expected growth from Game Pass and multi-platform releases.
Xbox parts ways with 4 studios, with South of Midnight and Psychonauts devs going independent as Arkane begins "required consultation" to "review potential strategic options"
Xbox is undergoing a significant restructure, leading to four of its studios becoming independent or finding new ownership. Compulsion Games and Double Fine Productions will transition to independent studios, while Ninja Theory and Undead Labs will be acquired by new owners. Additionally, Arkane Studios is entering a consultation period to review its strategic options.
Xbox Layoffs Won’t Stop Work on Doom, Quake and Wolfenstein
Despite significant layoffs impacting Xbox and its ZeniMax Media subsidiaries, work on franchises like Doom, Quake, and Wolfenstein will continue. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma confirmed that ZeniMax will not be reduced to only developing Fallout and The Elder Scrolls. The company is also undergoing management restructuring to streamline decision-making processes.
