Activision to develop next Halo game as Xbox cuts 268 jobs
by@BBCNews
Summary
Xbox is making significant changes to its Halo franchise, as it transitions development responsibilities to Activision, previously known for the Call of Duty series. This move comes amid ongoing layoffs, with the company reducing its workforce by 268 jobs as part of a larger restructuring effort that has seen a total of 3,600 planned job cuts. Activision's involvement is seen as a bid to revitalize the Halo brand, which has struggled in recent years, with the company's president affirming a commitment to honoring the franchise's legacy. Xbox's restructuring is noted as one of the most significant in its history, necessitated by challenges within its gaming division.
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Analysis
Xbox: Xbox is Microsoft's video game division responsible for consoles, first-party studios, and subscription services. It is currently undergoing a major company-wide restructure that includes job reductions and shifting Halo development responsibilities to Activision. Activision: Activision is a leading video game publisher best known for the Call of Duty franchise and other major titles. In this development, the company has been tasked with leading development of the next Halo game and managing additional Xbox studios including World's Edge and Rare. Asha Sharma: Asha Sharma serves as chief executive of Xbox, overseeing strategic decisions across the gaming division. She has directed the ongoing restructure, including plans to spin off or close certain studios such as Ninja Theory. Rob Kostich: Rob Kostich is president of Activision and leads the publisher's efforts on key franchises. He stated that the team is focused on delivering the greatest Halo game while remaining true to the series' legacy and community. Restructuring: Xbox is executing the most significant restructure in its history, with ongoing job reductions across multiple studios. Franchise Oversight: Activision's responsibilities now extend to managing development for Halo as well as studios behind Age of Empires and Sea of Thieves. Studio Consolidations: Bethesda is expanding its remit to include additional studios such as Obsidian, while other Xbox properties undergo consolidations.
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