I Think Xbox Studios Will Be Fine This Year
So it is a depressing start for 2023. Massive layoffs, across the industry, has put quite a blip on the job market. But also a lot of info surrounding Microsoft has been surfacing out after the 10,000 layoffs they had, of which also affected several developers under the umbrella of Xbox Studios.
Various studios like 343, Coalition, and Bethesda. They lost a few workers from their end. Though, the casualty numbers are low here. Considering how much trim that Microsoft got.
Microsoft's Washington got a significant cut somehow. Close to 900 people have lost their jobs there. So, there's quite a lot to talk about this, and other things connected to them, including that Activision Blizzard merger and the ongoing fiasco surrounding that.
To summarize how bad the layoffs are, it's not quite clear how bad. Because 3 major subsidiaries have been hit under the Xbox Studios umbrella. Bethesda might have taken a much less hit, especially considering how big the publisher is, and the amount of games they have under their belts currently. I.E: Elder Scrolls Online, Fallout 76, Starfield, and so on.
However, 343 Industries seems to be largely affected, they are also rumored to be stepping aside for letting another developer helm the next Halo project. That was cleared up, later, but there have been big changes too.
Joseph Staten, who had spearheaded Halo Infinite, has transferred to Xbox Publishing. 343 lost 60 people, which happens to be 10% of the workforce, but I can guess the big loss was Staten deciding to move away from the game series.
https://twitter.com/Witdarkstar/status/1615866682521833474?s=20&t=IIfN1Ejx7nclIoz2V-1FhQ
343 no doubt had the most trouble, their development woes are akin to what CD Projekt Red is going through with Cyberpunk 2077. As of now, Halo Infinite did, in fact, get online co-op for the campaign, and Forge late last year.
But, the player count and traction didn't speak optimism. So, bad news would be that maybe Halo's future might get big changes, if this continues somehow. Even if 343 cleared that rumor, the chance of that changing later on isn't far off.
It's been over 3 years now since Gears 5 came out, it's an odd situation for The Coalition now, since their last game was the Matrix tech demo. No announcement or anything regarding a new Gears game as well. Just side projects with Microsoft and Epic Games for now. That does kind of worry me.
Nothing updated in regard to the Perfect Dark, Fable reboots, Hellblade sequel, and the new IPs introduced. That's a lot of new projects that got bold statements about their development, and now are completely in the dark. Maybe the layoffs are also being used to restructure, maybe the summer E3 announcements might change that.
A little while ago, Xbox Direct made announcements and showcases. One to lead with is the reveal of Tango Gameworks new title, Hi-Fi Rush. A Rhythm based action game that was also released on the same day it was unraveled. Currently, receiving high accolades.
Microsoft has also 3 other games coming out; from Minecraft, Forza Motorsport reboot to the new Redfall, all having release dates for this year. Yet, nothing on Starfield. There are even rumors that it's in very rough shape now. Whether it launches in that shape or, Bethesda does the right thing by delaying it again, I guess we'll have to wait and see.
But what does that mean for their many other games now? As much as anyone would want to talk about PlayStation and Sony now, I kind of don't want to. Since they've been pulling all kinds of screwed up moves to stop Microsoft from acquiring, it seems none of it has been working.
The EU Union tried to block it, they decided to later settle instead. That's when the FTC strikes, and now people think Sony is pulling all the strings this whole time. It's also, stupidly absurd. But if anything, if the acquisition goes through, that means Microsoft will be shifting their focus to their newly establishment's than rather go back.
This could also mean the other studios under them are taking a lot of their time than they used to get to make their games the best there is. I just wish we got more word, there are no reassurances now, given especially with the fiasco with 343, with founder Bonnie Ross leaving, similar to what happened at the Coalition with Rod Fergusson, and key talents leaving Playground Games.
A lot of games are pending to get their release dates, from Avowed, Everwild, Contraband, State of Decay 3, Outer Worlds 2, and the aforementioned games. And that's from Xbox Studio branch, Bethesda has yet to tell us when is Starfield, and Elder Scrolls 6 coming out. And if Microsoft fully completes their acquisition. You have to tally their number of upcoming games to being a huge list.
I would really love to see Fable on the showcase again. If E3 is dead or not, would love to see the game series I love get to shine. But then there's this news. It kills any hope I have left, even more so considering the talent that left last year. But I could also be wrong about that. Same with the Scalebound revival too.
Microsoft is here to stay, they're also here to disappoint me some more too. But I can't complain if they have many ways to keep me playing. Redfall looks dope, especially if it's coming from Arkane Austin. Sign me in for the new Forza game, and hopefully we see more of those games that have been pretty dormant in the next Xbox presentation.
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This seemed crazy to me. I mean, releasing "free" on your platform a new game that you know is good and would most likely sell on its own, is incredible. Gamepass has always been good, but at least from my point of view, I thought they wouldn't be able to keep up the pace by adding good games on it, but so far they keep surprising me.
There's just way too many to play right now.
I´m not sure if it´s a good idea to release Hi Fi Rush out of nowhere without even marketing but seems like the game is doing well, it looks great tho. I think this year will be great for Xbox, but we´ll have to wait to see, I´m currently more worried about Starfield but I want to be possitive.