Microsoft Cuts Nearly Half of Age of Empires Studio Amid Xbox Layoffs

The World's Edge studio, which oversees Microsoft's Age of Empires franchise, has undergone significant changes. As part of a larger round of Xbox layoffs, nearly half of the studio's staff was let go in the latest cuts. This move coincided with the decision to place the studio under Activision.

Former employees have shared their experiences on social media, revealing that the studio's next project was canceled during the transition. Andrew Martz, a former senior software engineer at World's Edge, stated in a LinkedIn post that his studio was reorganized and its next project was canceled, resulting in a large layoff.

The layoffs are part of a larger effort by Microsoft to reduce staff across its Xbox business, aiming for 3,200 job losses this financial year. The role of World's Edge under Activision remains uncertain, with many longtime employees affected by the changes.