Xbox Shake-Up: Activision Takes Over Halo Franchise Amid Mass Layoffs
Microsoft's Xbox division is undergoing a massive restructuring, including layoffs and changes to its studio lineup. The company announced that Activision will take over the Halo franchise, as well as Age of Empires and Sea of Thieves, after Microsoft acquired the rights in a deal worth $69 billion earlier this year.
As part of the shake-up, 268 Xbox employees will be laid off, and it's likely that Ninja Theory will be closed. The changes also affect Halo Studios, which has undergone significant leadership changes and layoffs in recent years.
Activision president Rob Kostich said in a statement, 'For Halo, our goal is clear: make the greatest Halo game ever, worthy of its universe and legacy, while staying true to what made players love it in the first place.'
The restructuring marks the second round of Xbox layoffs this year, with over 1,900 roles impacted so far. Microsoft has said that 3,200 roles will be cut by the end of the company's 2027 financial year.