Microsoft Stock Climbs as Layoffs Force Cancellation of Top Xbox Games
Warning! GuruFocus has detected 6 Warning Sign with MSFT.
The cost cuts have ended development on a new Perfect Dark title, Rare's Everwild and an unannounced MMO at ZeniMax Online Studios. Blizzard's Warcraft Rumble will also see no new content, while undisclosed projects at Romero Games lost funding.
Multiple studios felt the impact. Halo Studios, Sledgehammer Games and High Moon cut staff, Raven Software reduced headcount, and Turn 10 Studios let go roughly half its workers. King will trim about 10% of its team. Meanwhile, The Initiative is closing with Perfect Dark's cancellation, and ZeniMax and Blizzard are shifting some employees to other roles.
The news underscores Microsoft's push to streamline its gaming division amid broader tech sector belt?tightening. Investors will be watching whether these moves free up resources for core franchises like Halo and Forza, or risk alienating fans as Microsoft balances costs against its long?term gaming ambitions.
This article first appeared on GuruFocus.
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