Activision

Age of Empires studio World's Edge reportedly lost "nearly half" of its staff during yesterday's Xbox cuts and move to Activision

Yesterday's Xbox cuts saw organisational restructuring that moved Age of Empires studio World's Edge under Activision's control. The initial announcement did not specify whether the Age of Empire studio would lose any staff as part of this transition, but new information has emerged suggesting many members of the team have been let go. Read more

Eurogamer•Sherif Saed3h ago

• neutral toward Xbox · 98%

Xbox cuts 268 jobs and hands Halo development to Activision in major studio shakeup

The restructuring may streamline operations but risks diluting Xbox's brand identity and altering the creative direction of iconic franchises.

CryptoBriefing•Editorial Team17h ago

• critical toward Xbox · 90%

Halo Studios Cinematic Director Promoted and Laid Off Within the Same Week as Xbox's Brutal Restructuring Continues

Halo Studios cinematic director Josh Daniels has confirmed that he was promoted and laid off within the same week amid news that Activision has now taken over the next Halo game.

IGN•Virginia Glaze19h ago

• critical toward Xbox · 93%

Halo Developer Gets Promoted And Laid Off In The Same Week

Xbox laid off many devs at Halo Studios as the Halo franchise moves under Activision

Kotaku•Zack Zwiezen20h ago

Halo Fans Can't Decide if Activision Takeover Is a Good Thing or Not

Call of Duty developer Activision is now taking over creation of the next Halo game, and fans are understandably divided about it.

IGN•Virginia Glaze21h ago

Sea of Thieves Fans Fear for Rare's Future as Studio Gets Put Under Activision Following Xbox Reset

Sea of Thieves fans are concerned for Rare's future, as the studio has been consolidated under Activision as part of Xbox's latest reset.

IGN•Cade Onder22h ago

• critical toward Xbox · 87%

Halo moves to Activision amidst Xbox restructuring and layoffs

Permission to leave the station, sir.

Dot Esports•Alexandra Wells23h ago

• neutral toward Activision · 78%

Shuffling the deck chairs: Xbox continues its "reset" with dramatic restructuring

Activision gets Halo , Obsidian becomes part of Bethesda, and more internal shake-ups.

Ars Technica•Kyle Orland22 Sept

• critical toward Xbox · 94%

Xbox 'reset' continues with 268 job cuts and Activision making the next Halo game

Xbox's turbulent 2026 continues with more job cuts and a probably closure of Ninja Theory.

Engadget•staff@engadget.com (Kris Holt)22 Sept

• critical toward Xbox · 90%

More Xbox Layoffs Hit as Massive Reorg Continues; Activision to Make Next ‘Halo’ Game

The Microsoft-owned gamemaker is in the process of eliminating 3,200 jobs.

The Hollywood Reporter•Anthony Maglio22 Sept

• neutral toward Activision · 96%

Xbox Announces Halo Layoffs and More Changes in Big 'Reset'

Halo Studios is being cut by Xbox and moving to Call of Duty publisher Activision, Microsoft announced Tuesday in the latest round of layoffs.

Polygon•Michael McWhertor22 Sept

• neutral toward Xbox · 95%

Next major Halo game being developed by Activision, as Halo Studios all but closes as part of Microsoft's Xbox restructuring

Halo Studios (formerly 343 Industries) won't develop the next mainline Halo game because it's being what sounds like drastically reduced in size. Microsoft has instead given development duty to Activision, which is making "a new purpose-built team" separate to Call of Duty to make it. Read more

Eurogamer•Robert Purchese22 Sept

• critical toward Halo Studios · 97%

Xbox Lay Offs Continue With 268 Employees Cut; Activision to Develop Next ‘Halo’ Game as Part of Studio Reorg

Xbox has laid off an additional 268 employees this week as part of its previously announced job-eliminations plan. The new cuts primarily come affect Halo Studios, other first-party studios and the XGS management and central functions layer, Xbox chief content officer Matt Booty said in a memo to staff Tuesday. Amid the cuts, the Microsoft-owned […]

Variety•Jennifer Maas22 Sept

• neutral toward Activision · 97%

Xbox 75-Percent Of The Way Through Planned Restructure As It Condenses Studios, Lays Off 268, And Enters Consultation With Ninja Theory

Halo will now be developed by Activision, while 343 retains a small support team for existing games

Kotaku•Rebekah Valentine22 Sept

• neutral toward Xbox · 93%

Activision is taking over Halo as part of a massive Xbox shake-up

Microsoft is announcing a massive restructuring of its Xbox studios today, months after laying off 1,600 Xbox employees and selling off studios. The latest changes will see Activision take on the Halo and Sea of Thieves franchises, as well as Age of Empires. Microsoft is also laying off around 268 Xbox employees as part of […]

The Verge•Tom Warren22 Sept

• neutral toward Activision · 96%

CONFIRMED: Microsoft Hands Halo to Call of Duty Developer Activision as Part of Seismic Xbox Studios Shakeup

Microsoft has today confirmed that the next mainline Halo game will be developed by Call of Duty maker Activision, with mass layoffs hitting Halo Studios amid a significant restructure of its Xbox studios setup.

IGN•Wesley Yin-Poole22 Sept

• neutral toward Microsoft · 88%

Handing Halo to Activision Makes Business Sense, but Is That Enough To Save the Series?

The next Halo game will be developed by Activision, but is the slick Call of Duty development pipeline enough to save Master Chief?

IGN•Matt Purslow22 Sept

Call of Duty maker Activision claims video game cheating is now a £6.3 billion ($8.5 billion) a year industry

Activision has published a breakdown of the numbers behind cheating in its games, claiming cheating is big business, generating about £6.3 billion - $8.5bn - every year in account sales, boosting, and spoofing services. Read more

Eurogamer•Vikki Blake20 Sept

• neutral toward Call of Duty · 98%

Call of Duty Maker Activision Says the Video Game Cheat Market Generates $8.5 Billion a Year

Ahead of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4’s release, Activision has spoken about the “multi-billion-dollar market” behind video game cheats.

IGN•Wesley Yin-Poole18 Sept

Activision Calls Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 'The Epic Conclusion,' Leaving Fans Wondering What's Next

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 is being advertised as the "epic conclusion," suggesting an end of an era for the franchise.

IGN•Cade Onder17 Sept

• neutral toward Activision · 95%