Xbox preparing to close Ninja Theory, Double Fine and Compulsion Games
Microsoft’s Xbox division plans to close or sell Ninja Theory, Double Fine and Compulsion Games as part of a major studio restructuring. Ninja Theory had just showcased a new Hellblade game and won SIGGRAPH Real-Time Live! recognition for its real-time motion-capture work; Double Fine created Psychonauts and Compulsion built We Happy Few. Those moves threaten announced projects, put dozens of developers' jobs at risk, and shift Xbox away from smaller, creative studios toward big franchises such as Halo, Gears and Forza, reducing variety in its game lineup.
Why would I trust Xbox now*? Art means nothing. Success means nothing. Supporting games and studios I like means nothing. They see no future for their own console. They have nothing to offer they aren't prepared to destroy. *I mean [gestures at everything], ~especially~ now
"Sorry guys, we have to sack all of your favourite artists so we can pivot to a new business model of helping Openai take a flamethrower to $34 billion every year" www.wheresyoured.at/exclusive-op...
They are truly a terrible steward - there's part of me which'll never not be worried for those studios they've gotten. I'd hate to see even more studios legacies lost thanks to the suits and their lack of vision there :(
just a few months ago, Xbox chief content officer Matt Booty was pointing to Double Fine and Compulsion Games as examples of studios it's committed to, "where little sparks can grow into something big."
the full interview is worth reading again in light of the studio closures www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/...
This is my thinking - If Xbox are serious about rivaling Playstation they're going to need new big IPs. Gears and Halo are exhausted.
Matt Booty should go. He’s was responsible for all those studios as they developed games that are seen as failures.
Microsoft reportedly negotiating closures of multiple Xbox studios, including Psychonauts' Double Fine, South of Midnight's Compulsion and Hellblade's Ninja Theory www.eurogamer.net/compulsion-d...
If I hated games and gaming I would be running Xbox exactly like this.
Great job, #XBOX! 1. Buy studios for billions. 2. Watch studios make successful and significant games. 3. Lose money anyway because of your shitty business model. 4. Close studios and fire thousands of people. What a business triumph!