Twenty-six percent of Xbox's workforce is at risk. Not good. The "reset" memo's consequences are already being felt, with several high-profile game cancellations and studio closures looming on the horizon, leaving the gaming community to wonder which beloved titles will survive the culling and what this means for the future of Xbox's gaming portfolio. Something's very wrong here.
Quick Facts
| Developer | Universal Studios Hollywood Hub |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Microsoft |
| Platform(s) | Xbox, PC, PS5 |
It's a worry. The future is unclear. You'll see changes, they've already happened. Microsoft makes decisions, but we don't know the full story. Forza Motorsport is done, that's for sure. Turn 10's game didn't do well in 2023, it's a fact. In contrast, Forza Horizon is still going strong with Playground Games, they're getting support for Forza Horizon 6, and we might see more of it in the future, which is worth mentioning, it's key for the fans.
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It's messy. You'll see some games are safe. Others, not so much. The future is uncertain for a few Xbox titles, with some even getting cancelled. We've got 2023 cancellations to consider, for instance.
- Forza Motorsport: CANCELLED - The series has ended due to poor performance of the latest installment.
- The Outer Worlds: CANCELLED - The series concludes with The Outer Worlds 2, which failed to meet sales expectations.
- Avowed: SAFE(ISH) - Though sales were disappointing, Obsidian Entertainment might explore the world of Eora further, potentially through a sequel or a return to Pillars of Eternity.
- Clockwork Revolution, Fable, Gears of War, Halo, Minecraft, Grounded 2, Age of Empires: SAFE
- Psychonauts, Senua (Hellblade series), South of Midnight: AT RISK - Linked to the uncertain futures of Double Fine, Ninja Theory, and Compulsion Games, respectively.
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It's a tough spot for them. You'll see Xbox games cancelled. The future of Microsoft is key. Several titles are at risk, with three studios in negotiations.
Compulsion Games is in a tough spot. They made South of Midnight and We Happy Few. The real feel of South of Midnight got solid reviews. It's worth mentioning that this game flew under the radar, which is pretty key for a studio like Compulsion Games, you'll notice they've had mixed reactions before, with We Happy Few getting a similar response, it's a pattern we've seen with them.
It's a tough spot. Ninja Theory is at risk. They made Hellblade and Senua, which they announced to get investors on board, showing just how precarious things are for the studio right now with their future uncertain.
It's a tough time for Double Fine Productions. You'll find they made Psychonauts. They also made Kiln recently. The real feel of Psychonauts is at risk, with honesty needed from the studio, as they've had key crossover projects in the past, including a deal with Obsidian Entertainment for Grounded 2, which is still on track, a worth mentioning exception in this uncertain time for the studio.
Players Left Hanging as Xbox Pulls the Plug
It's bad news. Forza Motorsport is done. You'll miss it if you're into racing. The end of The Outer Worlds series is key. Fans were invested. It had a good story. The fate of Psychonauts, Senua, and South of Midnight is unclear, which is worth mentioning, for these games offer unique experiences that would be lost, and that's a problem, it's a loss of variety, which is a big deal for players looking for something different, with the potential loss of these IP's being a major concern.
You'll see the impact. It's a shift. Microsoft is focusing on core stuff. They've committed to Clockwork Revolution and Gears of War as exclusives, which is key for Xbox.
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The Bad Gamer Take
Microsoft will cancel more underperforming Xbox titles because of the significant workforce reduction and financial pressures. This decision will have a significant impact on the gaming community, particularly for fans of cancelled series like Forza Motorsport and The Outer Worlds. Watch for Obsidian Entertainment's next move with Avowed to see if they can revitalize the series and avoid a similar fate.
It's uncertain. You'll hear more from Microsoft. The Xbox Games Showcase is key. We've got Psychonauts, Senua, and South of Midnight in limbo. They've got a lot riding on the showcase, it's where you'll find out what's next for these games, assuming the studios can hold on. Fans are waiting, they're vocal, and they're hoping for the best.
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Key Takeaways
- The Forza Motorsport franchise has been cancelled.
- The Outer Worlds series is concluded due to The Outer Worlds 2 underperforming.
- Avowed’s future is uncertain but not cancelled outright.
- Compulsion, Ninja Theory, and Double Fine are at risk, affecting Psychonauts, Senua, and South of Midnight.
