Microsoft Axes Age of Empires Studio, Cancels Next Project Amid Xbox Layoffs

Microsoft's recent layoffs have had a significant impact on World's Edge, the studio behind the Age of Empires franchise. According to former employees, about half of the studio's staff was cut during a reorganization that placed the team under Activision. This move also canceled the studio's next project, which had plans for the franchise's future.

Former World's Edge developers took to social media and gaming forums to share their experiences with the layoffs. Adam Isgreen, a longtime member of the Age of Empires team, said that the cuts ended his 16-year career. Andrew Martz, a former senior software engineer at World's Edge, described the reorganization in a LinkedIn post.

The reorganization placed World's Edge under Activision as part of Microsoft's restructuring efforts. This move has left the future of the Age of Empires series uncertain, as the canceled project may have been a key part of its next phase. Microsoft continues to support existing Age of Empires titles, but the layoffs remove staff who had been planning what came next.

Microsoft has confirmed that it completed more than 75% of its planned Xbox layoffs, leaving room for further job cuts across its gaming business. The company's strategy has used the franchise to connect its PC and console audiences through shared releases, cross-platform services, and subscription access.