Microsoft announced a big shake-up of its Xbox studios. Obsidian, the studio behind Avowed, now reports to Bethesda and is working with it on a new Fallout game. Halo moved under Call of Duty maker Activision, along with Rare and Age of Empires. Turn 10 was folded into Playground Games, and 268 people lost their jobs.
π The Backstory
Microsoft bought Bethesda in 2021 and Activision Blizzard in 2023, making it one of the largest game publishers in the world. It cut about 1,600 Xbox jobs in July and said more were coming. Hellblade developer Ninja Theory may close after two buyout talks failed. PC Gamer argued the two studios have very different styles, so forcing them together is a bad fit.
π― Why It Matters
These studios make games millions of people play. Layoffs and forced mergers can delay titles and change the games fans love.
Microsoft announced a big shake-up of its Xbox studios. Obsidian, the studio behind Avowed, now reports to Bethesda and is working with it on a new Fallout game. Halo moved under Call of Duty maker Activision, along with Rare and Age of Empires. Turn 10 was folded into Playground Games, and 268 people lost their jobs.
Microsoft bought Bethesda in 2021 and Activision Blizzard in 2023, making it one of the largest game publishers in the world. It cut about 1,600 Xbox jobs in July and said more were coming. Hellblade developer Ninja Theory may close after two buyout talks failed. PC Gamer argued the two studios have very different styles, so forcing them together is a bad fit.
These studios make games millions of people play. Layoffs and forced mergers can delay titles and change the games fans love.