Microsoft Cuts Roles and Merges Studios as Xbox Resets

Microsoft announced a major restructuring of its gaming division known as an "Xbox reset," which includes eliminating approximately 268 roles across Halo Studios, other first-party studios, and central management functions. The company is reorganizing its subsidiaries by expanding Activision's remit to include World's Edge and Rare while developing the next Halo title with a new team separate from Call of Duty production. Bethesda will expand to oversee Obsidian for Fallout projects, King will manage casual games like Minesweeper under Candy Crush developer leadership, and Playground Studios will merge with Turn 10 to focus on Forza and Fable franchises.