Xbox Cuts Jobs, Shifts Halo to Activision

Microsoft is eliminating 268 roles across Halo Studios, other Xbox first-party studios, and XGS management. Matt Booty said in an Xbox Wire memo the company is roughly three-quarters of the way through previously announced restructuring. The cuts are part of a broader Microsoft reduction of fewer than 600 jobs announced Tuesday, after roughly 3,200 Xbox-related cuts earlier in the year. Activision will develop the next mainline Halo with a new purpose-built team separate from Call of Duty; a small Halo Studios team will support existing games and the community. Rare and World's Edge move under Activision, Obsidian under Bethesda continuing Grounded and a new Fallout project with Bethesda Game Studios, Microsoft Casual Games under King, and Playground Games with Turn 10 for Fable and Forza. Rob Kostich told Game File Activision aims to "make the greatest Halo game ever, worthy of its universe and legacy, while staying true to what made players love it in the first place," and that a purpose-built team is already being assembled. CONTESTED: No dispute on the 268 cuts or Halo shift; a Fallout: New Vegas remaster and Fallout 5 pre-production were single-sourced to Shacknews. Booty said further restructuring remains.