The lofty goal of producing original content has come to quick end as Microsoft announces that Xbox Entertainment Studios will be shut down as part of a massive restructuring. Two hundred employees will be affected as part of a move to eliminate 18,000 jobs from Microsoft company wide.
A few projects will be completed as planned with Halo: Nightfall being one of them. Some of the high level executives will stay on until projects are completed but look for other entertainment ventures, apps or services particular to entertainment like NFL on Xbox, to be developed and supported by other entities.
We never like hearing or seeing bad news. We hope that all 18,000 people affected by these moves are able to move on to new employment quickly.
Paul Novak is a self described Polish ninja toiling away as an IT professional but more into gaming and writing. Physically existing in the west side of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania yet existentially flowing with the ether of the Internet. Found here at What’s Your Tag? and on the Twitter @dudewantshisrug. Game on with Team XBRO!
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Layoffs are never fun to read about, but I think this move will allow them to move their budgets and focus to what people actually bought the console for.. games.
The idea of original content sounds goods but Sony has a big leg up on this since they already own and operate production companies. I hate to say it but I think this is a good move in that it will help Microsoft and Xbox focus on gaming.