Xbox transfers Rare and Halo franchise to Activision, proposes closure of Ninja Theory and confirms another 268 roles cut amid studio restructure
What it is about
Who published it, and when
2 reports left out of the cascade - too little in common with the story to place
How it spread - 16 original reports
Tue, 22 September 2026
6 reports- Google News - Top Stories14:06first to report
Xbox transfers Rare and Halo franchise to Activision, proposes closure of Ninja Theory and confirms another 268 roles cut amid studio restructure GamesIndustry.biz Continuing Our Reset XBOX Wire ‘Halo’ to move under Call of Duty publisher as Xbox announces layoffs The Washington Post Microsoft starts a new round of job cuts and the next phase of its Xbox 'reset.' Read the memo. Business Insider Exclusive: Xbox to Cut Hundreds of Jobs, Consolidate Game Studios The Information
- Google News - Top Stories14:09
Hellblade developer Ninja Theory to be shut down in new wave of Xbox cuts, as two separate agreements collapse Eurogamer.net Microsoft Signals Intention to Close Down Ninja Theory After Deals to Save the Hellblade Developer Fall Through IGN Xbox Working Toward Closing Hellblade Studio Ninja Theory After Multiple Deals Fall Through Kotaku Xbox Warns That Ninja Theory Could Be Closed As Two Agreements Fall Through Pure Xbox Xbox cancels Senua plus Call of Duty dev takes over Halo 7 in major...
- BBC News World14:51
The news comes as part of a "reset" announced by Xbox in July, with 3,600 planned job losses overall.
- Google News - Top Stories15:43
More Xbox Layoffs Hit as Massive Reorg Continues; Activision to Make Next ‘Halo’ Game The Hollywood Reporter Continuing Our Reset XBOX Wire Microsoft cuts 300 more Washington jobs as gaming division continues its restructuring KIRO 7 News Seattle Call of Duty's Activision to make next Halo game as Xbox cuts more jobs BBC Microsoft layoffs hit hundreds in WA again, Xbox roles included The Seattle Times
- Google News - Top Stories18:07
‘Halo’ to move under Call of Duty publisher as Xbox announces layoffs The Washington Post Continuing Our Reset XBOX Wire Exclusive: Xbox to Cut Hundreds of Jobs, Consolidate Game Studios The Information More Xbox Layoffs Hit as Massive Reorg Continues; Activision to Make Next ‘Halo’ Game The Hollywood Reporter Microsoft lays off 268 Xbox employees in Washington state KUOW
- ipowerrichmond.com22:00
Xbox restructures, Halo and Ninja Theory impacted, Activision to develop new Halo game, more layoffs ahead
Mon, 28 September 2026
1 report- gamedeveloper.com12:16
The company has also divested or shuttered a number of key studios such as Double Fine, Compulsion, Tango Gameworks, and more in recent years.
Wed, 30 September 2026
1 report- Google News - Top Stories16:24
“Xbox is not for sale” says Microsoft’s gaming chief The Verge 'Xbox Is Not For Sale' - Asha Sharma Issues Confident Statement On The Future Of The Brand Pure Xbox 'Xbox Is Not for Sale' — Asha Sharma Denies Reports That Microsoft Is Considering Selling Its Gaming Business IGN Xbox CEO Asha Sharma insists "Xbox is not for sale" gamesindustry.biz "Xbox is not for sale," says Sharma — why are people attached to this idea? windowscentral.com
Mon, 5 October 2026
1 report- gamedeveloper.com16:45
The developer of the Hellblade titles and the recently-announced Senua is reportedly cutting jobs.
Wed, 7 October 2026
1 report- Times of India13:48
Asha Sharma, the CEO of Xbox, has presented a strategy to stabilize the gaming division after layoffs. The focus will be on traditional console players as well as developing next-generation hardware options. Xbox aims to improve player engagement by investing in first-party games and current-gen features. A new console platform, internally known as Xbox Helix, is in the works to enhance user experience.
Wed, 21 October 2026
1 report- eurogamer.net10:47
Xbox is said to be laying off some employees this month, with two more waves planned for the near future.
Fri, 23 October 2026
2 reports- Times of India09:39
Microsoft is shutting down The Garage, its 17-year-old innovation lab and maker space program that ran the company's Global Hackathon. Some Garage spaces across 15 regions, including India, could close from October 23. CEO Satya Nadella regularly attended its hackathons, which produced the Xbox Adaptive Controller and Seeing AI. Employees link the closure to Microsoft's wider cost cuts as it spends heavily on AI infrastructure.
- Google News - Top Stories21:39
Xbox’s first chief operating officer is out after just a few months The Verge 'We'll Share More as Plans are Finalized' — Xbox's First-Ever Chief Operating Officer Leaves Role Just Three Months After It Was Created as Company's Massive Restructuring Continues IGN Xbox COO to leave company, Verge reports TipRanks Xbox COO Helen Chiang leaves Microsoft months after taking the role Inven Global Xbox's Helen Chiang exits after 21 years, but only 3 months as COO Shacknews
Sat, 24 October 2026
1 report- eurogamer.net12:57
Helen Chiang is leaving Microsoft just three months after becoming Xbox's first chief operating officer, according to a memo from CEO Asha Sharma.
Sun, 25 October 2026
1 report- Times of India05:13
Helen Chiang has left Microsoft after serving for 21 years, including a recent role as Xbox COO. Her departure follows a reorganization that aimed to enhance operational efficiency within the Xbox division. During her time, Chiang worked on various projects, including Xbox Live and Minecraft. Her responsibilities will be temporarily divided among other Xbox leaders until a replacement is announced.
Thu, 29 October 2026
1 report- gamingbolt.com00:00
On the subject of declining hardware sales, Asha Sharma has attributed it to the company not being able to meet the demand.