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7 sourcesTracking since 22 Sept, 14:00

Activision to develop the next Halo game as Xbox cuts 268 jobs

In brief

Microsoft is restructuring its Xbox studios and has assigned Activision to develop the next mainline Halo game. Halo Studios is being reduced, with the remaining team moving into a support role. The changes include 268 job cuts and shifts involving other Xbox franchises, including Sea of Thieves and Age of Empires.

Summary written by HeraldLoop from 7 sources · updated 4h ago

What changed

  1. 22 Sept, 14:00CONFIRMED: Microsoft Hands Halo to Call of Duty Developer Activision as Part of Seismic Xbox Studios Shakeup · IGN
  2. 22 Sept, 14:00Activision is taking over Halo as part of a massive Xbox shake-up · The Verge
  3. 22 Sept, 14:01Activision Taking Over Halo Franchise And What Remains Of Halo Studios Will Now Be A Support Team · Kotaku
  4. 22 Sept, 14:18Xbox Announces Halo Layoffs and More Changes in Big 'Reset' · Polygon
  5. 22 Sept, 14:51Call of Duty's Activision to make next Halo game as Xbox cuts more jobs · BBC
  6. 22 Sept, 14:57Xbox 'reset' continues with 268 job cuts and Activision making the next Halo game · Engadget
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How outlets framed it

Xbox5 sources
0% favorable (0)60% neutral (3)40% critical (2)

critical: Engadget, CryptoBriefing.

Show how each outlet framed it
Activision3 sources
0% favorable (0)100% neutral (3)0% critical (0)

All 3 sources reported it neutrally.

Show how each outlet framed it

One source, one vote (its latest article in the story). Only labels with confidence ≥ 0.6 are shown; the quote is the evidence.

Chronological coverage

  1. Yesterday
  2. Latest23h ago

    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.

    critical toward Xbox
    CryptoBriefingCryptoBriefing•Editorial Team
  3. Follow-up22 Sept, 14:57

    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.

    critical toward Xbox
    EngadgetEngadget•staff@engadget.com (Kris Holt)
  4. Follow-up22 Sept, 14:51

    Call of Duty's Activision to make next Halo game as Xbox cuts more jobs

    The news comes as part of a "reset" announced by Xbox in July, with 3,600 planned job losses overall.

    BBCBBC
  5. Follow-up22 Sept, 14:18

    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.

    PolygonPolygon•Michael McWhertor
  6. Follow-up22 Sept, 14:01

    Activision Taking Over Halo Franchise And What Remains Of Halo Studios Will Now Be A Support Team

    The studio formerly known as 343 Industries was hit with more layoffs as Xbox makes big changes

    KotakuKotaku•Zack Zwiezen
  7. Follow-up22 Sept, 14:00

    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 VergeThe Verge•Tom Warren
  8. First seen22 Sept, 14:00

    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.

    IGNIGN•Wesley Yin-Poole