It was reported a few hours later Xbox’s South of Midnight developer Compulsion Games may soon be shut down by Microsofta new report has surfaced that several other Xbox Game Studios developers may be on the chopping block as well.
according to Bloomberg and sources familiar with Microsoft’s plans say that both Double Fine Productions and Ninja Theory, like Compulsion Games, are “at risk of closing” and “in active negotiations to exit” Xbox. According to information, “several other studios” are also in this situation.
Double Fine is best known for Psychonauts, Keeper and its new pottery party fighter Kiln, while Ninja Theory is responsible for the dark fantasy action-adventure series. Hell knife; a few days ago the latter introduced a new Hellblade game called Senua during Xbox Games Expo.
The source who spoke about it said The VergeNinja Theory is closing, though its employees are “hopeful that the studio will find a buyer.”
Bloomberg says studios Microsoft is considering closing could get a chance to buy themselves back from Xbox and become independent developers, though many employees will lose their jobs regardless. Employees have been informed and given time off to pursue new opportunities while negotiations continue.
It should be noted that today was earlier informed both Xbox Game Studios head Craig Duncan and its head of hardware Louise O’Connor are either leaving Microsoft soon or have already left.
This is reportedly part of the impending closures and layoffs Microsoft’s upcoming 100-day “Xbox reset” A major restructuring of Xbox as a business led by a new CEO Asha Sharma. last week, Bloomberg reported that the turnaround would be accompanied by significant layoffs in July.
It should be noted that this news also comes a few days later A complete overhaul of the Xbox was also reported to be “on the table”. Microsoft is apparently considering making Xbox a subsidiary of the firm, while focusing on new entries in its biggest franchises. Hello, Falloutand The Elder Scrolls.
All signs point to Sharma and Xbox as a whole making the success of its biggest and most profitable franchises his top priority. its continued business declinewill explain why these studios are at risk of being removed from Microsoft; The titles South of Midnight, Keeper, and Hellblade were critically acclaimed and praised, but were not the most commercially successful.
Finally, regardless of Microsoft and Xbox justification For these potential closures, this is devastating to know even more The layoffs are likely to come on top of the thousands and thousands who have cracked the industry in recent years. Just last year, Xbox has closed the Initiative and Everwild has canceled ZeniMax’s unannounced new MMO and Perfect Dark..
Whether Compulsion Games, Double Fine, Ninja Theory, and others can either shut down or go independent, I hope the process goes as smoothly as possible and that all affected developers can find new positions elsewhere as soon as possible.
Worried that Microsoft and Xbox might close these studios soon? How do you feel about the whole situation? Let me know in the comments.
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