I really believe after the Activision buy out, the Xbox division is on Microsoft’s high up executives radar, it’s not just a line item in their spread sheet anymore. They want their 69B back and they now want this department to be profitable.

The real xbox died after xbox 360

Yes this time for real. They've been a shell of their former self since the 360 days but now.. It's over.

Xbox really in its Wii U era

It’s the shareholders who are responsible for all of this

The main problem could be, that as a developer you can never feel safe. Whether your game succeeds or not..and this feeling could lead to a developer exodus A risky game Xbox is playing

It should be a crime for a massive corporation to buy so many development studios only to shut them down not long thereafter. The consolidation of the games industry needs to be regulated like big telecom (aka AT&T) was in the past.

Whats really depressing as a prospect is that the fate of these smaller studios seems to be tied to the growth of gamepass, since even corporate wasnt projecting any of these smaller titles to be blockbuster hits. It all relates to the notion that everything comes down to a percentual growth. A profit that is far beyond the operational expenses is not enough if it is not CoD or Fifa levels of profit, and this gargantuan profit must be even higher in the following period because the way corporate measures growth is by the delta of the current period minus the previous period. Its so bonkers that the actual amount of money you made on that period is not important if the silly little line is not shooting up. To make matters worse, the only way you can probably have the line going up in subsequent periods is if youre a live service product (a succesful one at that).

I loved the Prey and Dishonored games, They were some of the best single player games the last generation, Sad to see that studio shut down

It's so saddening to see teams that made stuff like Dishonored, Evil Within, Hi Fi Rush and Prey be disbanded. These games were truly special and brimming with expression from the developers, not just some stale lifeless AAA regurgitations. The feelings are still raw from Eidos Montreal and the Deus Ex team getting gutted by Embracer earlier this year. Sucks.

Both Sony and Xbox are really being clowns it’ll be interesting to see who gets the crown 😅

I saw this coming, I haven’t bought a Xbox since the 360.

Its been gone since the Xbox one was released & revealed

They're mostly focused on setting up their mobile gaming front and live service games (World of Warcraft, Call of Duty, Overwatch, Diablo, Halo, Elder Scrolls Online, Sea of Thieves). They'll have some single player games too, but most will be ported to other systems

Starting to regret my purchase I made 2 years ago for a Xbox Series S.

It still dumbfounds me that: Xbox has shut down more studios than they released games this year They said they needed more games like hi-fi rush, A FEW DAYS AFTER SHUTTING DOWN TANGO And 2 months BEFORE shutting them down, someone had talked to tango and said that they were excited to work with them in the future of xbox It really shows how this decision was done basically last second, because the graph started to go down, shareholders got mad that they're making a tiny bit less than previous years so they demanded cuts.

I would say yes. Even Microsoft hinted that they had lost the console war, and it seemed like they had retired from making exclusive games. The cross-platform multiplayer, what's the point of Xbox live. I would only buy the Xbox one series X new gen for emulation only if I didn't have a gaming pc

I feel like it is. I rarely turn on my Xbox anymore. I booted it up today to make sure it was up to date. But, I mostly play on Deck now. It's a shame. There's just nothing other than the fact I started Hogwarts Legacy on Xb, thats keeps me going back lately.

Don Matrick’s tombstone will read: Husband, father, and Xbox TV!

The fact that Phil has been so quiet has me worried.

The up coming Hellblade 2 is going to sell even less than Hifi-Rush because of it's niche audience. Will that mean Ninja Theory gets the axe too? It would be the last nail on the Xbox coffin.

I worked at Best Buy when the original Xbox released. While I consider myself a Nintendo gamer above all else, I've always owned every Xbox and played a ton of games, I am definitely a profitable consumer of Xbox. I could be hot and cold on their strategy, acquisitions, all of that - for many of the same reasons you shared, but last week's closures were absolutely a tipping point for me. That doesn't mean that I'm gonna go on some tangent online about plastic boxes and blue vs green or whatever, but it does mean that Xbox has lost my trust: I no longer believe "next year is the year", it's been too long, with too little to show, and then as soon as they started showing some decent momentum, they close the studio who made their best game since 2021...and if you take Forza out of the picture, easily my favorite Xbox game since Sunset Overdrive. Throw in their games going everywhere, and personally I find it a heck of a lot easier to support anyone besides Microsoft. I really think they'll live to regret these decisions.

Glad I left xbox behind this generation. I have a lot of great memories with this platform. It is a smoking husk of its former self. Gonna go play Prey:Mooncrash again on my PS5 in memoriam of Arkane.

Moved over to ps5 few months back from xbox off 16 years , most fun ive had in gaming ever, helldivers , days gone, ghosts of Tsushima,ratchet and clank, spiderman, God of way, last of us and many more, literally the best games ive ever played , and paired with excellent haptics on the controller.

Yes it is. They are becoming the villain.

I regret being an Xbox user after all this! I should have stayed with PlayStation and Nintendo! These last three years have been 💩 😭

Everyone was excited about Micro$oft buying everything up, but somehow I knew this would happen. I was never excited about them buying these studios.

I feel super bad for Xbox gamers even if I really don’t like using xbox

Wait a second…you’re that guy from that PlayStation video from CNBC!

I guess I bought my steam deck at the perfect time🤷🏽‍♂️

Would love to know how many people gonna be cancelling their gamepass over the next month

“Focus on smaller award winning titles” Could they not have done that without going on a developer shopping spree? They kinda shot themselves in the foot by buying so many companies and then closing them.

I really feel there is more behind the curtains with respect to the closure of TangoGameworks.

It would be cool if they made a version of windows on Xbox where you can access steam and epic games. I think that it would sell well considering not everyone can afford a high end pc.

Its all theory at this point. We have no concrete clue why they closed these specific studios. But with the leads having left Austin I can see why they wouldn't have the same drive to keep that company - It likely has nothing to do with their last project. Another factor is: Did these studios actually have concrete ideas for what was next. If a company is looking to axe devs, it would look at short, mid and long term investments and return on investment. Neither Tango or Arkane had announced a new game (I don't believe the other 2 had either). Stating they want to return to their roots is something you write on a post it note. Its not a coherent design document - though if there is signs of a new game was actually planned out, I'll eat my words. Its also likely these decisions came from on top. When you look at it through that lens its no different to Sony having this weird hardware focus that seemingly doesn't align with PS but is clearly driven by the larger Sony company. I don't really understand where this idea that companies are gotten rid of solely due to success/failure of a project. Sure its been shown that can be a reason, but its not the only reason. And its been clear forever that no one is safe in this capitalist world, any thought to the contrary lacks a appreciation for how capitalism dictates everything. Axing of 3 devs is also not a sign of an Xbox brand collapse as many melodramatic doom seekers seem to be stating. They have plenty of games still on their roster. None of this is right, but as someone who has paid attention to this industry for decades its not as surprising as everyone is making it out to be. Xbox wasn't special, its no different than any publicly traded company. The loss of jobs is sad and must be super stressful for all involved, so I totally understand where the anger is coming from but I have issue with the lack of focus. I'd personally prefer a world where they can loop devs and resources back into existing companies, as they did with the fourth developer, but again thats not something that clearly is on the cards in the US. One of my gripes with the conversation, is that people are talking about these studios like they were somehow special compared to others that have been lost. Its telling that most people are commenting on Tango and Austin but don't seem to have acknowledged what the other 2 are. Its not a healthy view on the industry: They are ALL special and just because you subjectively like a piece of their work shouldn't impact the disdain you feel for Xbox (Sony, or any of these other companies dropping talent), otherwise it just comes off that you're more upset about not seeing a Prey sequel than the actual loss of talent and livelihood. I appreciate your view on the subject Kevin.

I am now at a point where I'm thinking of getting rid of my console and getting a pc for the living room TV, good or bad idea?

Xbox is run by Microsoft higher ups now. I expect the brand to go the way of Zune and just become Microsoft Gaming.

Imagine if movie studios under the Hollywood umbrella shut down after one flop? That might actually be a good thing in that case though haha

That settles it, Bethesda needs to break away from Microsoft and become a private company again. Cuz’ apparently this partnership isn’t working out for them if they’re closing studios they own.

I mean Sony did also close a few really good studios, but than you also have Team ICO, that is just allowed to do what they want, and even if the games don't sell much, it's a unique experience only available on the Playstation. So... I don't know you need to make a loss on games and the console to sell more consoles abd than make money from peripherals, subscriptions and online store sales. Xbox really needs teams like Tango to keep it interesting, to give a reason to buy an xbox. But their strategy doesn't support that. If all the games are also day 1 releases on PC and also run better on PC and are also sold on Steam, and are also available on Game Pass day 1, there are just too many reasonsn not to buy an xbox and not to actually buy the game on the MS store.

Jeez. If they close Obsidian I am selling my xbox.

It is crazy to me that modern coporations fail to understand the concept of company morale as well as brand loyalty built up through trust. If you want smash releases like Elden Ring or Balders Gate. You NEED to let your studios do their thing and treat the community fairly. FromSoftware is a strong studio BECAUSE they have yet to make a game in the last 10 years that fully betrayed the trust of their fans. Then there's WB with Rocksteady who have just thrown away all that fan trust for an always online shit show. Microsoft looked like they were positioned to do great things in the coming years. They threw that away for a short term gain.

You gotta take into account Xbox invest about 78 billion in gaming and they gotta be big changes to make that money back

Tango Gamework was Dommed when Shinji Mikami left with some of the creatives and developpers

Those franchises that were successful will return. Will they have the same spirit is the real question

I think microsoft bought bethesda and ABK because of Fallout, Skyrim, Call of duty, world of warcraft, diablo, overwatch, league of legends, candy crunch. The games that are popular that they can easy profit of it. The rest of small IP they will shutdown the devs who made those games and cant make profit out of it

So sad to see xbox fall been on xbox since 2001 to 2018 saw this coming just very sad it was so good back in the day they changed online gaming.

I'm just here for that blue beanie

The only game that had me on Xbox was Forza Motorsport, but with last year's release I'm definitely switching to Gran Turismo.

They saw what Activision brought to the bottom line and forgot where they came from to become more like Activision. Xbox as we all know it has died.

You make a point to talk about Arcane Austin and don’t even mention the fact that 70% of the employees that were working at the start of redfall’s development are no longer there. The old arcane is effectively dead and as such their past successes have little impact on any future games they could have come out with. Devs, not studios make great games and if the devs are no longer there, there no reason to believe any future titles would have been of same calibre of their past successes.

I feel like exclusives as a whole is gonna die out.

What is the return on investments is the key to the game no matter what!

Should've killed it a long time ago. Developers have been complaining for years that they can't make games the way they want because of the limitations of the series s

who's to say SEGA isn't planning a new console the second Xbox stops making consoles.

is it bad decision to get xbox now? i am planning to buy one.

I still have My One s/x along with my series s and x. I'm really hoping Microsoft can turn things around, but until then I'll just play My PS5

The team at Xbox just doesn’t care anymore. I was once a die hard Xbox fan since original Xbox. After the Series X and the lack of exclusives I just moved to PS5 cause it makes a lot more sense

Xbox deserves to have Kendrick make a diss record about them 😂

The xbox leadership probably aren't the ones doing the financial analysis work. That is being done in another department, and then an executive with more authority is making these decisions.

They've lost the plot together with the strong identity Xbox used to have. They might have money but also no vision.

Xbox has always been a huge part of my life and my friends lives. This is not the Xbox we grew up with and know. very disappointed.

Corporate greed ruined every darn thing.

It's amazing how Bobby Kodik got bailed out and paid so much and now so many developers are paying the price because of Microsoft and their Xbox Executives failed to absorb this new company they bought without sacrificing other parts of the business. And ever since Game Pass came out I never saw it as a sustainable good idea. That mixed with games taking 7 years to make with unfathomable budgets with disgusting monetization structures to maximize profit is part of the reason why we are where we are.

I bought a steam deck 2 years ago and my series X hasn't even been updated since.

Microsoft has potential to become the ultimate Sony. Securing exclusive third party games and keeping everything exclusive first party wise. I really hope the next CEO doesn't have this kind of vision. Because there is an imense studio arsenal and money to make that happen. Instead, I would love to see xbox become a sandbox that you can deploy into any PC. Fully retrocompatible with its own dashboard. And gamepass is amazing for us third word folks.

Yes.. now there is only game pass and microsoft gaming.. anytime now will the production of xbox end or atleast get new brand... Maybe game pass box or just series x

Can we just bring back the 360 & all those games?

With elder scrolls you have to look at it was once multi platform so it’s probably not gonna sell well on one platform

Everyone is talking about Xbox failing to meet gamers wants and needs, especially with losing developers gamers really love, but what they fail to realize about the situation is that these developers are no longer tied to a console parent company demands (exclusives, content alternatives, live update game on the parent companies behalf), and may actually go back to making quality AAA games now that they’re not tied to constraints. Better games are once again ahead from these publishers since they no longer need to fill a mold they’re told to fill, and they won’t be under very short, strict deadlines. Also, this is going to affect PlayStation heavily as well, you’re just not seeing the ripples yet. Also, with Xbox becoming more like a PC platform and allowing steam on the platform, it will open up a whole lot, more developers that are independent on steam to be played on platforms. The gaming will be massive at that point with integrating steam. Also turning this into more of a pc focus will bring high end computer games, not most were not able to play before because of hardware limitations being out of price or reach of gamers, will now utilize the Xbox series x consoles hardware and software to run these demanding games at a fraction of the cost of a gamer having to build a high-end pc. Yes there are some negatives to what Xbox is doing. I’m not saying there isn’t but I believe that there are more positive that people are not focusing on that should have a light shine on them.

Two years is a long time in gaming especially with a global recession going on around us, gaming is not immune to such pressures in fact gaming is now a luxury hobby. Xbox has to protect its investment which is a shame because I must have been one of the very few that liked RedFall, we do not know what strategy Xbox is using now but I for one think the CMA changed it so lets see what happens. Is Xbox dead? no its still in a better place when it was in 2013, its has more 1st party genres than any other gaming console and is cheaper to get in and play than any other console.

What isn’t on a spreadsheet is how much it will piss off the customers / fans

No good games sense 2013, all digital future, No VR , nothing new

Xbox is now one of the biggest publishers in gaming after the purchase of Activision, they should go completely multi platform with the option a console if you want one.

Xbox is not gone yet they still have a direct coming up! They can turn this around and have them back! Redemption arc coming i guarantee it!

Reductions like this are hardly a surprise. The industry is shrinking. Microsoft and Sony are doing it. I think the market is correcting post-pandemic, and after the recent bout of inflation across the world...

Xbox s soul died during the Xbox one

Cyberpunk had a really bad release, but after a couple years, they turned it around into a hit seller. Microsoft doesn't understand this and should not be in the gaming business.

They bought all the studios so they can have the back catalog for game pass, consolidate everything into Microsoft gaming and just be an app on all devices. That’s what the xcloud is about. Streaming you games to your phone or switch. Will it work ? Who knows.

I want an Evil Within 3

I think they should be trying to get their Game Pass onto Playstation In the way that EA have EA Play there already

These companies need to hire passionate gamers and stop with the business suits that know nothing

Dunno what could bring Xbox success in Japan vs Sony...Apple is long time number one smartphone seller in Japan vs the same Sony...😐

It has been since 2013.

I’m afraid for Xbox that they’re gonna stop making studios for single player mode basically they’re gonna go multiplayer online services I hope. Not.

Why does this guy where a beanie? Dude its summer. Or is that a cool trademark thing?

343 count your days

Very obviously yes

Xbox never recovered from Don Mattrick.

They've been gone for over a decade.

Microsoft should not have done this! Xbox should be left alone, now everyone is seeing the problem with acquisitions when a bigger company doesn't profit enough to the shareholders liking. Seemed like Xbox had a gamer's mindset going into the acquisitions and Microsoft does what it always does by messing up something that should be good. Just look at what it did with Skype after they bought it and how they messed that up.

what is happening with yt rn, 0 views 2k comments?

The only way Xbox can fix itself is by going back to how they were in the Xbox 360 era. Now I don't think they will because Xbox is a lot bigger now then they were back then and I think that is what's hurting Xbox because they just don't know how to handle it yet and with Microsofts heads poking around now IMO is what's going to make Xbox more or less a 3rd party dev the only difference will be they will still have Xbox hardware for some time

Xbox was at its peak during the 360 era. Since then they’ve been going downhill. Stuff like this just keeps proving why Xbox falls behind and stays in last place.

There has been a theme popping up across all these videos. If a development team doesn’t want to work on a game because it’s not their preference, then they only give a half ass effort. Redfall for example could have been good, but you could tell they put very little effort into its development. Maybe that’s the problem with gaming. Time to get rid of development teams that only want to make games they want to make and bring back games people actually want to play.

The only way to fix this is release games, it's been 6 years since all these accusations and we still haven't seen shit, where are they all at, Hellblade 2 is an 8-hour game and it's been in development for 6 years.

Great analysis

Yes! The Xbox ‘you knew’ has ALREADY been gone for two console generations.

I hope the crowd start booing at the Xbox showcase

Its so funny that all fanboys are now hiding😂