Microsoft’s Santa Monica-based Xbox Entertainment Studios is shutting down (via Variety). The studio was responsible for creating original programming for the Xbox line such as two upcoming Halo features, and the live-action portions of the game-tv show hybrid Quantum Break. Fortunately, these much anticipated features are going to go on being produced even after Xbox Entertainment Studios is out of the picture. We expect more news on the remaining Xbox Originals to be forthcoming in the future.
A Microsoft spokesperson has being quoted as saying. “[Quantum Break] will be released next year and the game and show both remain on track [...] The news of Xbox Entertainment Studios has not impacted our progress and we’re excited to share more details of Quantum Break at Gamescom in August.”
We also know that Halo: Nightfall - a prequel story executive directed by Ridley Scott - is still on track, which is important given that it is set to introduce a new series-critical character into the Halo canon.
Xbox Chief Phil Spencer stated that the losses were part of a move towards aligning long-term goals. “I would like to take this opportunity to recognize the accomplishments from the entire team in XES,” he said. “They have built an impressive slate of original programming and pioneered interactive entertainment on Xbox … Change is never easy, but I believe the changes announced today help us better align with our long-term goals.”
The news comes as just after recently appointed CEO Satya Nadella announced that 18,000 jobs would be cut at globally, and reports that the Xbox EMEA team would be scaled back by 75%. The majority of job losses so far have been in the Nokia Devices and Services Division. That division is responsible for the Lumia series of mobile handsets, which use Windows Phone 8 as their operating system. Microsoft completed their acquisition of Nokia in April of this year, paying around $7bn for ailing mobile giant.
Shehzaan Abdulla
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