Tag

Studio Closures

All articles tagged with #studio closures

gaming1 month ago•3 min saved

Xbox Eyes Arkane Shutdown and Blade Cancellation in Broad Studio Downsize

Microsoft’s Xbox division reportedly plans sweeping layoffs starting July 6, including shutting down Arkane Studios and canceling the Blade project, with five studios potentially closed or sold (Compulsion Games, Double Fine, Ninja Theory, Undead Labs, Arkane). The moves follow a memo from CEO Asha Sharma and Chief Content Officer Matt Booty about over-extension, and come amid ongoing industry layoffs and prior studio restructurings; unions are pushing for transparency and good-faith negotiations.

via Engadget|

#arkane #blade #gaming

business1 month ago•7 min saved

Xbox weighs shuttering Undead Labs as part of a broader studio reset

Microsoft‑owned Undead Labs, maker of State of Decay and State of Decay 3, is reportedly at risk of closure as part of a broad Xbox studio reset that could trigger hundreds of layoffs if buyers aren’t found; Undead Labs alone could see around 110 jobs cut, with additional cuts at other studios, with layoffs expected to begin in early July.

via Eurogamer|

#business #layoffs #state-of-decay-3

gaming1 month ago•104 min saved

State of Decay 3 Faces Cancellation Risks Amid Xbox Studio Shakeups

Despite trailers and a positive alpha, State of Decay 3 is at risk of cancellation as Microsoft reportedly seeks buyers for Undead Labs and contemplates more studio closures amid Xbox cost-cutting, with Game Pass deals paused and trust in upcoming Xbox announcements eroding.

via Windows Central|

#gaming #microsoft-layoffs #state-of-decay-3

technology2 months ago•31 min saved

Xbox Exec Denies Reversal of Exclusive Plans, Keeps Yearly Lineup Intact

Xbox Chief Strategy Officer Matthew Ball dismissed rumors of reversing Microsoft's exclusive strategy, confirming Gears of War: E-Day and Clockwork Revolution will stay exclusive and that signature exclusives will continue to arrive each year; the piece also notes rumors of studio closures (Compulsion Games, Ninja Theory, Double Fine, Arkane Lyon) with efforts reportedly under way to keep them open.

via Insider Gaming|

#clockwork-revolution #exclusives #gears-of-war-e-day

business2 months ago•4 min saved

Xbox Studio Shakeup: Reports say multiple studios seek independence from Microsoft

Bloomberg reports several Microsoft-owned Xbox studios—including Double Fine, Compulsion Games, and Ninja Theory—are negotiating buybacks to regain independence to avert closures, amid a broader leadership and budget reset under new Xbox leadership. The Verge and Kotaku corroborate that some studios are at risk and that staff have been briefed on potential shutdowns, signaling a potentially drastic reconfiguration of the Xbox lineup.

via Eurogamer|

#business #double-fine #microsoft

gaming2 months ago•17 min saved

Xbox Studios on the Brink: Some to Become Independent, Others Face Closure

Reports suggest several Xbox Game Studios are at risk of closure or may be spun off as independent entities, including Compulsion Games, Double Fine, and Ninja Theory. The moves appear tied to portfolio consolidation and Game Pass economics, sparking concern for staff and what this means for Xbox’s upcoming lineup.

via Push Square|

#compulsion-games #double-fine #gaming

technology2 months ago•17 min saved

Two Xbox Studios Said to Be At Risk of Closure in 2026, Rumor Claims

A social-media rumor from Insider Gaming’s Mike Straw claimed two Xbox Game Studios could be closed in 2026, naming Compulsion Games and Arkane as the at-risk studios; later coverage (Kotaku) has echoed Compulsion as a potential shutdown, though Microsoft has not confirmed anything. The chatter surfaces amid broader talk of Xbox job cuts and lineup changes, with fans debating which teams might be affected, while the industry remains cautious and notes the studios’ recent and ongoing projects.

via Pure Xbox|

#arkane-studios #compulsion-games #rumors

business2 months ago•8 min saved

Ubisoft shutters two studios and restructures, trimming about 380 roles

Ubisoft is closing Winnipeg and Belgrade studios and restructuring another, cutting around 380 jobs. Ubisoft Barcelona will narrow its focus to Rainbow Six projects, with Montreal and other units affected as part of a broader cost-cutting reorganization tied to its Tencent-backed Vantage initiative and ongoing studio consolidations after earlier closures.

via Eurogamer|

#business #layoffs #rainbow-six-siege

business2 months ago•2 min saved

Ubisoft closes Winnipeg and Belgrade studios in sweeping cost-cutting move

Ubisoft is shuttering its Winnipeg and Belgrade studios and planning up to 380 layoffs as part of a broader restructuring that creates five creative houses and shifts the Barcelona operation to focus on Rainbow Six; Winnipeg and Belgrade were tied to the company’s engines and multiple titles, while the plan includes a five‑day on-site work mandate and follows prior global cuts and a Tencent investment, with unions having staged strikes earlier in the year.

via Game Developer|

#business #layoffs #rainbow-six

gaming5 months ago•45 min saved

Dark Outlaw Closure Highlights Sony’s Troubling First-Party Strategy

Dark Outlaw Games is the latest PlayStation first-party studio to shut down, continuing a string of closures since the PS5 era (including Japan Studio, Bluepoint, London Studio, Neon Koi and others). Critics argue the leadership under Hermen Hulst has steered Sony away from traditional single-player experiences toward live-service/mobile bets, even as layoffs ripple through the wider PlayStation group and projects are cancelled or redirected.

via Push Square|

#dark-outlaw-games #gaming #live-service

business7 months ago•3 min saved

Ubisoft launches major reset, cancels six games including Sands of Time remake, and shutters two studios

Ubisoft has launched a major reset, canceling six games (including Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time remake), closing two studios (Stockholm and Halifax) and delaying seven titles to focus on open-world, live-service games; shares fell about 33% on the news as the company pursues sustainable growth amid rising development costs, with Vantage Studios tasked to turn its big franchises into annual brands.

via BBC|

#business #live-service-games #open-world-games

technology1 year ago•6 min saved

Microsoft Cuts 9,000 Jobs in Xbox and Tech Divisions Amid Industry Tensions

Microsoft's Xbox division has undergone significant layoffs, affecting over 9,000 employees across various projects including the cancellation of games like Everwild and Perfect Dark, and the closure of studios such as The Initiative. The layoffs are part of a broader restructuring aimed at focusing on strategic growth areas amid industry challenges, with Xbox emphasizing support for impacted staff despite the difficult circumstances.

via Eurogamer|

#game-cancellations #industry-impact #microsoft

technology1 year ago•4 min saved

Microsoft's Massive Layoffs Impact Xbox and Cancel Multiple Games

Microsoft announced significant layoffs affecting around 9,000 employees worldwide, including multiple Xbox studios such as Raven Software, Turn 10 Studios, Rare, and others, leading to game cancellations like Everwild and the shutdown of projects like the MMORPG Blackbird. Despite the layoffs, Xbox's business remains strong, with Microsoft focusing on prioritizing its most promising opportunities to ensure future success.

via GameSpot|

#cancelled-games #gaming-industry #microsoft-layoffs

business1 year ago•1 min saved

Ubisoft to Close XDefiant in 2025 Amid Layoffs and Refunds

Ubisoft will sunset its game XDefiant in 2025, leading to the closure of its San Francisco and Osaka studios and affecting nearly 300 employees. The decision comes as the game failed to attract enough players to justify further investment. While some team members will transition to other roles within Ubisoft, a small team will maintain XDefiant until its servers shut down in June 2025. This move is part of Ubisoft's broader cost reduction strategy, which includes targeted restructuring and reduced external spending.

via GamesIndustry.biz|

#business #gaming-industry #layoffs

business1 year ago•2 min saved

Take-Two Sells Indie Label Private Division to Mystery Buyer

Take-Two Interactive has sold its boutique publishing label, Private Division, to an undisclosed buyer, transferring rights to most of its live and unreleased titles. This follows the closure of Private Division's studios, including Intercept Games and Roll7, and significant staff layoffs. Take-Two retains the game No Rest for the Wicked, while the buyer acquires titles like Kerbal Space Program 2 and Tales of the Shire. Take-Two aims to focus on larger AAA projects, such as the upcoming Grand Theft Auto 6.

via Polygon|

#business #kerbal-space-program #private-division