Amid the online game cancelations and studio closures which have come because of Microsoft’s devastating spherical of layoffs this week is concern about the destiny of just about each Xbox recreation and not using a agency launch date.
Microsoft video games canceled as a part of the cuts embrace Uncommon’s Everwild, an unannounced MMO from ZeniMax On-line Studios, the developer of The Elder Scrolls On-line, and the Excellent Darkish Reboot. The latter’s developer, The Initiative, was shut down. The staff engaged on Blizzard’s cellular recreation Warcraft Rumble was laid off as new content material ceased.
In the meantime, exterior builders who have been funded by Microsoft have been additionally hit. Romero Video games, the studio based by Doom co-creator John Romero and Brenda Romero, has suffered vital layoffs and the way forward for its new shooter is in doubt.
That’s lots to take in, but it begs the query: which Xbox Game Studios video games stay? And which, if any, have been quietly canceled?
In a memo despatched to all Microsoft gaming workers and considered by IGN this week, Matt Booty, head of Xbox Game Studios, mentioned Microsoft nonetheless has “greater than 40 initiatives in energetic improvement, continued momentum on titles transport this fall, and a powerful slate headed into 2026.”
Moreover, a supply advised Variety that each recreation featured at the Xbox Video games Showcase presentation in June is constant on. So, what have been these video games, which we now assume are protected — at least for the time being?
Activision’s Name of Responsibility: Black Ops 7 was at the present, and is definite to come back out later this 12 months (regardless of the layoffs hitting its varied builders). inXile recreation Clockwork Revolution starred at the present, in order that’s protected. Obsidian’s Grounded 2 and The Outer Worlds 2 have been at the present and we must always assume are each protected. It is a related deal for Double Tremendous’s Keeper, The Coalition’s Gears of Battle: Reloaded, Ninja Gaiden 4, and Indiana Jones and the Nice Circle’s Order of the Giants DLC. Tony Hawk’s Professional Skater 3 + 4, and the ROG Xbox Ally, each at the present, will proceed too. Regardless of the cancelation of Everwild, Uncommon’s Sea of Thieves continues with new updates.
At the finish of the showcase, Xbox boss Phil Spencer teased Forza, Fable, Gears of Battle: E-Day, and a Halo: Fight Advanced remake for 2026. We assume since these video games have been talked about, they’re protected, though it’s value noting that the Forza talked about by Spencer little question pertains to the subsequent Forza Horizon recreation from Playground, which can also be making Fable. Flip 10, which makes the extra sim-focused Forza video games, was hit exhausting by the layoffs.
So, we all know which video games Microsoft nonetheless intends to launch. But, given the occasions of this week, it’s now inconceivable to consider different Xbox video games in the works and not using a diploma of concern. Everwild and Excellent Darkish have been conspicuous by their absence at final month’s present and each have been canceled. What else failed to show up?
Minecraft — bear in mind Microsoft owns Minecraft! — stays big and protected as homes, you’re feeling. But what about Contraband from Simply Trigger developer Avalanche Studios? The place’s Undead Labs’ State of Decay 3? Ninja Concept’s Challenge Mara? Microsoft has a Hideo Kojima recreation, OD, on its books. Is that also occurring? Toys for Bob, the Crash Bandicoot 4 developer and Name of Responsibility assist studio that left the Xbox-owned Activision in February 2024, signed an settlement with Xbox on to publish its subsequent recreation. Is that also alive?
And what about Bethesda? ZOS’s MMO has fallen by the wayside, but absolutely Bethesda Game Studios’ The Elder Scrolls VI and the subsequent Fallout are tremendous. Starfield’s promised subsequent enlargement feels precarious, given Bethesda’s radio silence on the recreation. And what about Blizzard? As of final 12 months it was reportedly exhausting at work on a StarCraft shooter. Is that also the case?
It’s solely if you run by means of what wasn’t at the Xbox Video games Showcase final month that you just notice what’s at stake right here: Microsoft owns an enormous variety of improvement studios throughout the globe, from Bethesda to Blizzard and Activision to Halo. When Xbox suffers vital issues, an enormous swathe of the online game business and its builders do, too.
All eyes are on August’s gamescom, the place Microsoft is anticipated to indicate extra of what’s has coming down the line. Maybe Phil Spencer will give followers a transparent concept of what’s in the works from Xbox and what is not as Microsoft’s multiplatform push troopers on. It’s nonetheless planning to launch a next-gen Xbox console, though we do not know when. Is the first-party Xbox handheld Spencer teased final 12 months additionally nonetheless alive? Does Microsoft nonetheless plan to launch its personal gaming app retailer, regardless of the failure of Call of Duty Warzone Mobile, Warcraft Rumble, and this week’s vital cuts to Sweet Crush maker King?
In the quick time period, at least, the video games we noticed in June are nonetheless on the means. But the long run way forward for Xbox stays obscure certainly.
Wesley is Director, Information at IGN. Discover him on Twitter at @wyp100. You’ll be able to attain Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.