Xbox lays off 268 employees - Activision is developing the next Halo

Microsoft has officially confirmed a new phase of the Xbox rebuild.In a message to employees, head of content Matt Booty announced the reduction of 268 positions in Halo Studios, other first-party teams, management of Xbox Game Studios and central functions.According to him, taking into account changes since July, the restructuring plan has been completed by about three quarters.

At the same time, Xbox is changing the subordination of several studios.Activision is expanding its responsibilities to Rare and World's Edge, Bethesda is expanding to Obsidian, and Playground Games and Turn 10 are merging into one studio that will work with Forza and Fable.

The next Halo is being made by a separate team at Activision

Activision will be developing the next Halo game with a new dedicated team.Xbox specifically emphasizes that it is not related to the ongoing development of Call of Duty.A small team within Halo Studios will continue to support the community and existing games in the series.

This does not mean the transfer of all Halo to the Call of Duty team: the official message refers specifically to a new division within Activision.Matt Booty did not disclose details of the next project, timing and platforms.

Obsidian moves under Bethesda

Bethesda will now oversee Obsidian.The studio will continue its current projects, including Grounded, as well as the already confirmed new Fallout game, which it is making in collaboration with Bethesda Game Studios.Microsoft has not announced any cancellations of these projects due to the restructuring.

Another merger will involve Turn 10 and Playground Games.Formally, they will become one studio focused on Forza and Fable.We previously told you why Fable remains an important part of Xbox's strategy.

Ninja Theory is not closed yet

Two sales agreements for Ninja Theory fell through.Xbox is beginning consultations with employees regarding the proposed studio closure while continuing to explore other options.Therefore, it is too early to talk about closure as a completed fact.Negotiations around Arkane are also continuing and, according to Microsoft’s plan, could continue until the end of the year.

Undead Labs has already been transferred to a new owner under terms similar to the deals with Compulsion Games and Double Fine.State of Decay 3 should still be released on Game Pass on release day.We have collected the current September selection of services in separate article about Xbox Game Pass.