Thanks for nothing, Phil Spencer. -_-

Ninja Theory are probably fucked given Hellblade 2's poor performance.

Once the upcoming Enhanced Edition is out the door, the whole studio's probably getting the axe.

Maybe, but it seems like they carry more leverage with 2 or 3 upcoming projects and their cinematic tech. 

Hopefully, it would be a damn shame if they were closed down, their work on games like Hellblade 1 and Enslaved was fantastic.

At worst, with this the pace Microsoft seems to be going at this. I'd say them still being there after the next fiscal quarter looks less likely by the moment. 

Though considering they haven't touched Double Fine ... Maybe ?

There's also that their multiplayer game from 2020 Bleeding Edge was a complete flop so that's now a flop and an underperforming game back to back meaning they haven't had a successful game since 2017 and their next game is at least a few years away so there's no way Microsoft is happy with the acquisition.

Microsoft should sell off the companies it acquired under Xbox instead of just laying everyone off.

The damage since March 2024

And I thought their treatment of Rare was bad.

https://www.eurogamer.net/arkane-studios-founder-calls-game-pass-unsustainable-model-and-one-which-is-damaging-the-industry

Game Pass - Microsoft's subscription service across Xbox and PC that offers members a catalogue of games and other perks - is "unsustainable" and "damaging" the industry.

That's according to Arkane Studios founder Raphael Colantonio, who shared his thoughts on "the elephant in the room" following last week's layoffs at Microsoft. That elephant? Game Pass.

"I think Game Pass is an unsustainable model that has been increasingly damaging the industry for a decade, subsidised by [Microsoft's] 'infinite money', but at some point reality has to hit," Colantonio, whose works include Dishonored and Prey, wrote on social media.

"I don't think [Game Pass] can co-exist with other models, they'll either kill everyone else, or give up."

Colantonio's observations were spotted by Larian's director of publishing Michael Douse, who said the "most vocal concern" from within his own network was: "What happens when all that money runs out?"

Douse said this was "one of the main economic reasons people I know haven't shifted to its business model", stating "the infinite money thing never made any sense". In response, Colantonio said he agreed with Douse, adding: "I'm fed up with all the bs they fed us at first like 'don't worry, it doesn't impact the sales', only to admit years later that it totally does."

The duo spoke about the "cannibalisation" of sales, with Douse stating that he recognised that for "smaller teams with new or riskier" titles, getting their game onto Game Pass does help minimise a certain level of risk. However, he personally favours "Sony's 'lifecycle management'" way of doing things.

"Yeah, the only way [Game Pass] can co-exist without hurting everyone is for the back catalogue," Colantonio replied.

In a separate exchange following his initial post, Colantonio said he could appreciate why gamers like Microsoft's subscription model, calling it a "great deal" for consumers. However, "the maths don't work for [Game Pass], it only works because [Microsoft] injects billions into it to make it a good deal for the players... for now".

I've been saying it all along, great deal for gamers in the short run but the reality is really starting to hit the industry now. Sure there is AI taking over jobs but blaming this 'shrinking' of the market solely on the pandemic fallout doesn't really fly anymore. There has been a definite shift in the perception of value in games, games should be cheap or 'free'. 

Nintendo will remain steadfast though. Sony faces the fallout from XBox's treatment of the market, better get to making more 1st party content people actually want. (Not GAAS bs)

Dunno what's in the cards for Gamepass, price rices and recycling content? Still plenty stuff in the acquired back catalogs to put on GP for now.