Wikipedia

Microsoft Gaming

Microsoft Gaming is an American multinational video game and digital entertainment division of Microsoft based in Redmond, Washington established in 2022. Its five development and publishing labels consist of: Xbox Game Studios, Bethesda Softworks (publisher of ZeniMax Media), Activision, Blizzard Entertainment, and King (the latter three are publishers of Activision Blizzard).[2] It produces the Xbox video game consoles and services, in addition to overseeing production and sales, and is led by CEO Phil Spencer, who has overseen Xbox since 2014.

Microsoft Gaming
Company typeDivision
IndustryVideo games
FoundedJanuary 18, 2022; 2 years ago (2022-01-18)
FounderPhil Spencer
HeadquartersOne Microsoft Way,
Redmond, Washington
,
US
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
  • Phil Spencer (CEO)
  • Dave McCarthy (COO)
  • Tim Stuart (CFO)
ProductsSee § Products
BrandsXbox
Services
RevenueIncrease $21.5 billion (2024)[1]
Number of employees
20,100 (2024)
ParentMicrosoft
Divisions
Subsidiaries

Prior to 2022, Microsoft had several different video game-related product lines, including Xbox hardware, Xbox operations, and game development studios. Microsoft Gaming was created with the announcement of Microsoft's plans to acquire Activision Blizzard to unify all of Microsoft's gaming groups within a single division. With the completion of the Activision Blizzard acquisition in 2023, Microsoft became one of the largest gaming companies, the third-by revenue and the largest by employment.[3][4]

The division owns intellectual property for some of the most popular, best-selling, and highest-grossing media franchises of all time, including Call of Duty, Candy Crush, Warcraft, Halo, Minecraft, and The Elder Scrolls.[5]

History

edit

Pre–Microsoft Gaming (2001–2021)

edit
See also: Xbox Game Studios
 
Xbox brand logo

Up through 2000, Microsoft had only a limited number of video game publishing efforts. With the announcement of the first Xbox in 2000 and its release in 2001, Microsoft established a division for internal development of video games for the Xbox and Windows, then known as Microsoft Game Studios (MGS). The Xbox hardware remained a separate division within Microsoft. After Steve Ballmer's departure as Microsoft's CEO, Microsoft investors attempted to exert pressure on the company to either sell or shut down its gaming business. However, these efforts did not gain significant traction. Microsoft's gaming division, including products such as the Xbox console, has remained a strategic focus for the company. Under the leadership of Satya Nadella, who assumed the role of CEO in 2014, Microsoft has continued to invest in and expand its presence in the gaming market.[6][7] Since 2009, Microsoft's games operations, including Xbox division, are located at Microsoft West Campus.[8][9]

MGS made a number of acquisitions of studios to help build out the Xbox software library over its first decade, including Bungie, Lionhead Studios, and Rare while establishing internal studios 343 Industries for Halo development and Turn 10 Studios for Forza games. In 2014 after Satya Nadella was promoted to CEO (combined with the ascension of Phil Spencer to head of Xbox), Microsoft embarked on a new acquisition strategy, starting with the acquisition of Mojang Studios, the developer of Minecraft, for $2.5 billion.[10] Between 2014 and 2019, MGS also acquired several high profile studios, including Ninja Theory, Playground Games, Obsidian Entertainment and inXile Entertainment. These acquisitions were aimed to help position MGS as the company's premier first-party development house comparable to PlayStation Studios for Sony.

Microsoft launched Xbox Game Pass in 2017, marking a pivotal year in which the company reevaluated its strategy to focus on a service-based business model rather than exclusive titles. This strategic shift allowed Microsoft to distinguish itself from other console manufacturers. By prioritizing a service-oriented business model with the Xbox Game Pass, Microsoft differentiated its approach from traditional console strategies that often relied heavily on exclusive game titles to attract users. Instead of competing solely based on exclusive content, Microsoft aimed to offer a broader value proposition to gamers through a subscription service that provided access to a vast library of games.[11][12] In 2017, Spencer was named Executive Vice President, Gaming at Microsoft.[13]

In 2019, as part of a larger branding, MGS was renamed to Xbox Game Studios (XGS) as to align with the Xbox hardware branding, and further acquired Double Fine.[14] Microsoft acquired ZeniMax Media for $8.1 billion in 2020, the parent company of id Software, MachineGames, Arkane Studios, publisher Bethesda Softworks and others, to further expanding its portfolio of game development studios. ZeniMax remained a separate entity from XGS from its acquisition though overseen by Spencer.[15]

Establishment, acquisition of Activision Blizzard and multiplatform strategy (2022–present)

edit
Further information: Acquisition of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft

Microsoft announced its proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard for $68.7 billion in cash on January 18, 2022. Simultaneously, Microsoft announced that Xbox Game Studios, ZeniMax Media and Activision Blizzard will fall under Microsoft Gaming, Microsoft's newly formed gaming division. Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer stated that one of the primary reasons for acquiring Activision Blizzard is to enter the mobile gaming market.[16] Meanwhile, Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick mentioned that they accepted the offer to access more talent, capitalize on the growing demand in the gaming industry, and to compete with rising gaming companies from China and Japan.[17][18] Microsoft Gaming has entered into several 10-year agreements with gaming companies including Sony, Nintendo, Nvidia, Boosteroid, Ubitus, Nware, and EE to bring Call of Duty to their respective platforms over the next decade.[19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27] Additionally, Microsoft Gaming sold Activision Blizzard's cloud gaming rights to Ubisoft for 15 years due to regulatory pressure from the acquisition of Activision Blizzard.[28] After several regulatory challenges, the deal was closed on October 13, 2023. The total cost of the acquisition amounted to $75.4 billion.[29][30] This made Microsoft the third largest publisher of video games after Tencent and Sony Interactive Entertainment. On the day the acquisition was announced, Phil Spencer formed the Microsoft Gaming business, taking over as CEO, while Matt Booty headed Xbox Game Studios.[31][32][33] Spencer's role includes all Microsoft's global interactive entertainment business across all devices and services.[13][34] In 2022, ZeniMax Media, acquired Nemesys Games, a Hungarian video game development studio. Following the acquisition, Nemesys Games was officially renamed to ZeniMax Online Studios Hungary.[35]

Shortly after completion of the Activision Blizzard acquisition, Microsoft further reorganized Microsoft Gaming. In this move, the Xbox hardware line was brought into Microsoft Gaming led by Sarah Bond. Matt Booty was made president of game content and studios, which includes oversight of Xbox Game Studios and ZeniMax Media, while Activision Blizzard also remained directly under Spencer, with Bobby Kotick remaining as CEO until the start of 2024 to help with the transition.[36] In an email sent to employees, Bobby Kotick announced that he would leave the Activision Blizzard on December 29, 2023.[37][38]

Following Bobby Kotick's departure, Activision Blizzard has undergone organizational changes to realign with Microsoft Gaming.[39] Vice Chairman of Activision Blizzard, Thomas Tippl; President of Activision, Rob Kostich; President of Blizzard Entertainment, Mike Ybarra; and President of King, Tjodolf Sommestad, have begun reporting to Matt Booty, President of Game Content and Studios. The leadership teams at Activision, Blizzard Entertainment, and King remained unchanged. CCO Lulu Meservey departed Activision Blizzard on January 31, 2024. After assisting with the transition, Thomas Tippl, along with several other top Activision Blizzard executives, departed from the company in March 2024.[40]

Microsoft Gaming laid off 1,900 staff (approximately 8% of its workforce) in January 2024.[41] Additionally, Blizzard's president Mike Ybarra and Blizzard's co-founder and chief design officer Allen Adham left the company.[42] Blizzard Entertainment reportedly is the organization that is most affected by layoffs. Project Odyssey, a game that Blizzard Entertainment has reportedly been working on for six years, has been cancelled.[43] Toys for Bob and Sledgehammer Games reportedly lost over 30% of their staff due to layoffs.[44] Microsoft Gaming also reportedly laid off the entire internal customer support team of Activision Blizzard and the team dedicated to bringing Xbox games to physical retail.[45] Johanna Faries, the former general manager of the Call of Duty franchise, officially took on the role of the new president of Blizzard Entertainment on January 29, 2024, commencing her position on February 5.[46] Simultaneously, Matt Cox assumed the position of the new general manager of the Call of Duty franchise. In February, Toys for Bob's office closed, and employees will work remotely.[47]

After rumors in early February 2024 that Microsoft was looking to bring its first-party exclusives to either PlayStation 5 or Nintendo Switch, and that Microsoft may be leaving the hardware business, Microsoft held a special installment of the Official Xbox Podcast scheduled on February 15, 2024, to address the future strategy of Microsoft Gaming and Xbox, with Phil Spencer appearing alongside head of Xbox Sarah Bond and Matt Booty, president of Game Content and Studios at Microsoft Gaming.[48][49][50][51] Spencer announced that four Xbox-exclusive games will be released on PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch in the future, but specifically stated that these titles would not include Starfield nor Indiana Jones and the Great Circle.[52] Phil Spencer stated that one of the reasons for this decision is to grow the Microsoft Gaming franchises, and he anticipates that in the next 5–10 years, console-exclusive games will be a smaller part of the gaming industry. In addition, the Podcast stated that the next generation of Xbox hardware would likely be discussed in late 2024, and that Microsoft would start bringing Activision Blizzard games to Game Pass, starting with Diablo IV in March 2024.[53][54] Microsoft Gaming announced that four games will be released on other platforms, namely Pentiment, Hi-Fi Rush, Grounded, and Sea of Thieves.[55] On February 29, 2024, Activision developer Toys for Bob announced their intentions to spin off from the publisher to become an independent studio but confirmed that they were open to working with both Activision and Microsoft on future projects.[56][57]

On April 9, 2024, Microsoft Gaming and NetEase Games announced an agreement to bring Blizzard Entertainment games back to China. Previously, Blizzard terminated a publishing deal with NetEase in 2022.[58] Microsoft Gaming also revealed plans to bolster their collaboration through a strategic partnership focused on expanding the availability of NetEase video games across various Microsoft Gaming platforms.[59]

Microsoft Gaming shut down three development studios on May 7, 2024: Alpha Dog Games in Canada, Arkane Austin in the US, and Tango Gameworks in Japan. Additionally, Roundhouse Studios will merge with ZeniMax Online Studios in the US.[60] According to Microsoft Gaming, this move is a part of a larger "reprioritization of titles and resources" that Microsoft's gaming division is carrying out. The intention is to boost investment in their library of games and new intellectual assets while focusing on high-impact titles. Some teams have been reassigned to other projects inside Bethesda and ZeniMax, and production on some games has stopped as a result of these companies closing.[61]

In June 2024 during the Xbox Games Showcase, Microsoft announced that the upcoming Doom: The Dark Ages (2025) from id Software would launch simultaneously on multiple platforms,[62] with Spencer detailing that the decision to develop a PS5 version stemmed from the series' prior multiplatform history and persuasion from the developers.[63] Jerret West, Xbox's chief marketing officer, left Microsoft Gaming at the end of June 2024. West led the marketing efforts for the Xbox Series X/S consoles and his team was responsible for developing marketing plans for games, hardware, and Xbox Game Pass. Following his departure, Microsoft is reorganizing some of its marketing teams. A new, expanded central gaming marketing team is set to be created under Kirsten Ward, VP of Xbox integrated marketing. Consequently, games marketing would become a part of the game content and studios division led by Matt Booty, while Xbox marketing, led by Chris Lee, would move to the Xbox organization and report to Xbox president Sarah Bond.[64]

On August 7, 2024, Krafton reached an agreement with Microsoft Gaming to acquire Tango Gameworks as well as the Hi-Fi Rush IP.[65] On August 20, 2024 during Gamescom: Opening Night Live, Microsoft announced that the upcoming Indiana Jones and the Great Circle (2024) from Bethesda and MachineGames, which was originally announced as an Xbox Series X/S console exclusive, would launch on PlayStation 5 in Spring 2025 following its Xbox and PC launch in December 2024.[66] On the decision to pursue a PS5 release for the title after initially amending the licensing terms with Lucasfilm to exclude the platform from distribution plans,[67] Spencer cited the positive reception to the prior four Xbox titles released on other platforms in the earlier half of 2024, in addition to a need to maintain a strong business and interest in their franchises as they work to grow the Xbox ecosystem.[68][69] Spencer also called to attention that the gaming industry was undergoing changes in the methods by which games were developed and distributed, that Microsoft was prepared to anticipate when considering a more aggressive multiplatform strategy.[70]

In September 2024, Spencer announced another round of layoffs affecting 650 staffers in "corporate and supporting functions" following the acquisition of Activision Blizzard.[71] In an interview with Bloomberg News in November 2024,[72] Phil Spencer expressed a desire to continue acquiring studios, specifically taking interest in Chinese developers and partnerships with mobile game publishers similar to their relationship with Tencent Games, whom they collaborated with to produce Age of Empires Mobile.[73] Spencer also confirmed that the company was prototyping a possible handheld Xbox console, though stressed that "such a device is a few years out."[74] Spencer commented on Microsoft Gaming's efforts to establish a first-party Xbox storefront for mobile devices amidst ongoing conflicts with platform holders such as Apple Inc. and Alphabet Inc., who respectively control the App Store and Google Play, saying that he envisions an environment where such companies are more open to hosting Xbox's content in co-existence with their marketplaces.[75] He also addressed the company's ongoing plans to publish their first-party games on competing platforms such as PlayStation and Nintendo consoles, stating that he did not see "red lines" in their franchise portfolio with regards to games considered for release on such systems, but that certain tentpole franchises like Halo had not reached a consensus at this early stage.[76][77] During the month, Microsoft Gaming launched a new advertising campaign titled "This is an Xbox", intent on showcasing the various compatible devices that can access Xbox games and services beyond the traditional consoles, such as Windows PCs, Samsung Smart TV sets, and streaming devices like Amazon Fire TV through cloud streaming.[78] Xbox Senior Marketing Director Craig McNary stated that the campaign's message was to illustrate "the evolution of Xbox as a platform that extends across devices," thus being evocative of a future where their games and content are accessible on a variety of hardware and software.[79]

Products

edit

Video game devices and services

edit
Main article: Xbox

Microsoft Gaming develops and produces the Xbox line of home gaming consoles along with associated peripherals. The company supports the consoles with online services, utilizing the base Xbox network. Since the late 2010s, Microsoft began combining its standard paid subscription service, originally known as Xbox Live Gold, with Xbox Game Pass, which in addition to online multiplayer and matchmaking support, provides subscribers with a rotating library of games to play through the Xbox, on Windows computers, or through cloud gaming.

Video games

edit
Main articles: List of Microsoft Gaming video games, List of Xbox Game Studios video games, List of Bethesda Softworks video games, List of Activision video games, List of Blizzard Entertainment games, and List of King games

Among the video game franchises owned by Microsoft Gaming include Call of Duty, Halo, Minecraft, Warcraft, Diablo, StarCraft, Overwatch, The Elder Scrolls, Fallout, Crash Bandicoot, Spyro, Banjo-Kazooie, Battletoads, Killer Instinct, Perfect Dark, Doom, Wolfenstein, Quake, Dishonored, Pillars of Eternity, Wasteland, State of Decay, Hellblade, Gears of War, The Evil Within, Fable, Forza, Tony Hawk's, Guitar Hero, Skylanders, Microsoft Flight Simulator, Age of Empires and Candy Crush.[5]

Divisional structure

edit

Executives

edit
Microsoft Gaming leadership[80][81]
Role Name Details
Chief executive officer Phil Spencer —
Chief operations officer Dave McCarthy Overseeing the delivery of fundamental technological services and player experience across both the Xbox platform and game studios
Chief financial officer Tim Stuart Responsible for leading the financial management and operational execution of the global business
President, Xbox Sarah Bond Leads the teams responsible for the Xbox platform and business
President, Game Content and Studios Matt Booty Overseeing Xbox Game Studios, ZeniMax Media and Activision Blizzard games worldwide
Head of Xbox Game Studios Alan Hartman Head executive of Xbox Game Studios
CEO, ZeniMax Media Jamie Leder Head executive of ZeniMax Media
President, Activision Rob Kostich Head executive of Activision
President, Blizzard Entertainment Johanna Faries Head executive of Blizzard Entertainment
President, King Tjodolf Sommestad Head executive of King

Business segments and strategy

edit

The business isn’t how many consoles you sell. The business is how many players are playing the games that they buy, how they play.

—Phil Spencer on Xbox's business

Microsoft Gaming's strategy in the video game industry is characterized by a commitment to inclusivity and accessibility.[82] The company aims to reach a wider audience and meet different gaming preferences by publishing games on mobile, PC and Xbox platforms.[83] At the center of Microsoft Gaming's strategy is the Xbox Game Pass subscription service. This service offers a variety of game libraries for a monthly fee, emphasizing a shift towards a content-first platform.[84][85] Microsoft Gaming's chief financial officer (CFO), Tim Stuart, has asserted that Microsoft ceased disclosing the number of consoles sold in 2016 because their focus shifted towards content, services, and increased customer spending.[86]

 
Phil Spencer has served as the CEO of Microsoft Gaming since 2022.

Phil Spencer has expressed that his vision for Xbox has consistently aimed at shifting the brand's focus from being primarily console-centric to becoming a content-first platform, with a strong emphasis on prioritizing player engagement over sheer console sales.[87] Phil Spencer expressed his viewpoint by stating that the essence of the business lies not in the quantity of consoles sold but in the number of players actively participating in and enjoying the games they acquire, as well as the manner in which they choose to engage with them.[88][89]

By February 2024, Microsoft Gaming began planning to release their games on other platforms as part of a pivot in strategy to grow their franchises and compete with online game platforms like Fortnite and Roblox. Phil Spencer has stated that Xbox will continue to make exclusives and Game Pass will still be at the center of their strategy, but their goal is to expand the games with big communities.[53][90] Phil addresses the gaming industry's stagnation, acknowledging its impact on job cuts and tough decisions within companies. He emphasizes the necessity of industry growth for sustainability, advocating for a focus on expanding the player base rather than solely maximizing revenue from existing players. By prioritizing Xbox's growth through attracting new players and supporting creators, Phil aims to ensure long-term strength and success for the platform and the industry as a whole.[91]

Game development and publishing

edit

Microsoft Gaming, as of October 2023, is the third largest video game publisher in the industry following Sony and Tencent. Microsoft Gaming owns three major video game publishers: Xbox Game Studios, ZeniMax Media (through Bethesda Softworks), and Activision Blizzard (which includes Activision, Blizzard Entertainment, and King).[92] In addition, Microsoft Gaming also publishes third-party games with Xbox Game Studios Publishing and helps indie video game studios to self-publish their own games with ID@Xbox.[93] Since Microsoft entered the video game industry in 2001, Sony has consistently been viewed as its main competitor.[94] But, Microsoft Gaming has stated that their main competitors are big tech companies, specifically Amazon, Google and Apple.[95][4]

Among the gaming franchises owned by Microsoft, Minecraft is the best-selling video game of all time, with 300 million units sold, while Call of Duty is the 4th best-selling video game series of all time with 425 million units across multiple installments sold and $30 billion in revenue.[96] Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella announced that Microsoft Gaming now owns 20 franchises that have each generated over $1 billion in lifetime revenues.[97] Candy Crush Saga alone generated $20 billion in lifetime revenue.[98] Following the acquisition of Activision Blizzard, Microsoft Gaming doubled the number of video game employees, studios and its revenue with the addition of Activision Blizzard to the company.[99][100] In 2023, during an interview with Famitsu, Phil Spencer announced that, leveraging Activision Blizzard's capabilities, they are now planning to release a first-party video game every three months.[101][102] Phil Spencer also talked about how creative freedom is crucial for Microsoft Gaming, emphasizing that they will not compel a video game studio to create a sequel. Microsoft Gaming will support developers in making whatever they want.[103][104][105][106]

Microsoft Gaming's video game development business holds a strong position in the video game industry, regularly developing widely played titles. In certain video game genres such as first-person shooter (FPS) and role-playing games (RPG), Microsoft Gaming has held market dominance, owning popular FPS franchises like Call of Duty, Halo, Doom, Quake, Rage, and Overwatch, as well as RPG franchises such as The Elder Scrolls, Fallout, Fable, Pillars of Eternity, Wasteland, Warcraft, and Diablo.[107][108] Starfield has become the biggest Bethesda game launch of all time.[109] Eleven of the twelve best-selling video games released in the United States in the last thirteen years were from the Call of Duty franchise. Microsoft also has a strong presence in the real-time strategy (RTS) sub-genre, platformer genre and racing game genre with popular franchises such as Age of Empires, StarCraft, Crash Bandicoot, Spyro, Banjo-Kazooie, and Forza.[110][111] Microsoft Gaming holds a significant position in the multiplayer gaming, serving as one of the leading publishers of multiplayer and live-service games along with Take-Two Interactive, Electronic Arts and Tencent. Popular multiplayer titles under Microsoft Gaming's umbrella include Minecraft, Sea of Thieves, Grounded, Call of Duty: Warzone, World of Warcraft, Hearthstone, Overwatch 2, Diablo IV, The Elder Scrolls Online, Fallout 76, Halo Infinite, State of Decay 2, and many others.[112]

Microsoft Gaming has had difficulties finding success in the third-person shooter (TPS) and single-player genre, finding it difficult to compete with industry leaders like Sony, Take-Two Interactive, Nintendo, Capcom, and Square Enix in this space. Despite intense efforts, the company faced difficulties in establishing itself and gaining the same level of recognition and market share as its competitors.[113] This competitive landscape presented challenging obstacles that prompted Microsoft Gaming to re-evaluate their strategy and potentially explore other genres or approaches to improve their market position. Microsoft Gaming attempted to gain traction in the third-person single-player genre by developing titles like Gears of War, Quantum Break, and Sunset Overdrive. However, despite these efforts, the company continues to face challenges in competing successfully in this genre, struggling to match the market dominance of competitors such as Sony and Nintendo.[114][115]

Today, big games like Fortnite and Roblox can actually be bigger than any one platform, and that really has changed the way we think about things.

—Matt Booty on online game platforms

Microsoft Gaming has stated that its acquisition of Activision Blizzard reflects a strategic effort to tap into the growing Metaverse trend in the gaming industry.[116] For Microsoft, the Metaverse concept involves creating online game platforms where users can interact, similar to popular games like Grand Theft Auto V, Fortnite, and Roblox.[117] Microsoft aims to incorporate strong social features and effective monetization strategies within games like Call of Duty, Minecraft and World of Warcraft to establish a competitive presence in the evolving landscape of virtual environments. According to Microsoft, this acquisition is not solely about expanding Microsoft's gaming portfolio but also about leveraging Activision Blizzard's established franchises to enhance the overall gaming experience.[118][119] The move aligns with industry trends where companies are exploring ways to create immersive and interconnected virtual worlds, combining social interactions with in-game purchases.[120] Microsoft has been observing the success of other Metaverse games. The company strategically positioning itself in the Metaverse trend, evident in its efforts to strengthen its gaming portfolio and explore opportunities for social interactions and monetization strategies within virtual environments.[121] Microsoft's strategic positioning through acquisition of Activision Blizzard to play a significant role in shaping the future of gaming by integrating Metaverse elements into its gaming ecosystem.[122] Microsoft Gaming plans to remain competitive in the evolving digital entertainment landscape.[123]

Phil Spencer emphasized that for the Xbox brand to remain relevant, it must establish its presence on mobile, PC, and console platforms simultaneously.[124] With the acquisition of Activision Blizzard, Microsoft Gaming has become a significant player in the mobile gaming industry.[125] It owns one of the largest mobile game developers and publishers, King, and publishes popular mobile games such as Candy Crush Saga, Fallout Shelter, Diablo Immortal, Warcraft Rumble and Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile.[126] Phil Spencer has reiterated multiple times that Microsoft Gaming desires to launch a new storefront in the mobile game industry to rival Apple and Google and break the mobile duopoly.[127] In 2023, Bloomberg reported that Microsoft Gaming is in talks with video game publishers for a partnership to launch a mobile store aimed at competing with Google Play and App Store in the mobile gaming market.[128] In 2024, Sarah Bond announced that Microsoft Gaming would be launching its own mobile game store in July of that year, starting with a web-based version before expanding further. The store will initially showcase its first-party portfolio, featuring popular titles such as Candy Crush Saga and Minecraft. Subsequently, it will welcome other publishers to join.[129]

Xbox console hardware and software

edit
 
 
Xbox Series X on the left side and Xbox Series S on the right side – Microsoft Gaming's latest gaming consoles

Microsoft entered the home video game console market in 2001 with release of the first-generation Xbox. It since has manufactured three successive systems, as of 2023, as part of the Xbox brand. Microsoft's latest gaming hardware, the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S, were released in November 2020. The Series X is a high-performance console with powerful hardware for native 4K gaming, while the Series S offers a more affordable option with a focus on digital gaming at lower resolutions.[130] Xbox Series X/S consoles sold 21 million units in total by 2023.[131] Phil Spencer emphasized that Microsoft Gaming is selling consoles at a loss, losing $200 per unit sold. However, Microsoft Gaming is compensating for this loss by taking a 30% cut from sales of third-party games on its platform.[132][133]

Microsoft and Sony have been longstanding rivals in the console hardware market since 2001. The competition reached a peak during the seventh console generation, with the Xbox 360 emerging as the primary competitor to Sony's PlayStation 3 (PS3). In the subsequent generation, Sony's PlayStation 4 (PS4) outperformed Microsoft's Xbox One, selling twice as many consoles.[134] During the eighth generation of gaming consoles, the PlayStation 4 sold 117 million units, the Nintendo Switch sold 133 million units, and the Xbox One sold 58 million units. Sony's success is attributed to its exclusive game catalog and marketing techniques. Microsoft initially prioritized multimedia features over gaming capabilities; Sony has managed to exploit the perceptual gap. PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch have surpassed Xbox One due to their design and large portfolio of first-party games.[135][136] In 2017, Xbox began rethinking its tactics and placing more emphasis on exclusive content and gaming-focused methods to better compete in the market. The Xbox Series X/S consoles continued to face challenges in competing against the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5 (PS5).[137]

The console gaming market is defined as the combined total of console hardware, console game content, and console subscriptions. As of 2023, with a 45% market share in PlayStation system hardware, games, and services, Sony remains the worldwide industry leader, followed by Nintendo with a 27.7% market share and Microsoft with a 27.3% market share.[138] Sony has a 70% share of the global high-end console market, while Microsoft has a 30% market share as of 2023.[136][139]

At a bilateral trade discussion between the United States and Japan, United States senator Maria Cantwell from Washington raised concerns regarding what she perceived as a dominant market position held by PlayStation.[140] The senator specifically highlighted the perceived monopoly by PlayStation and expressed support for Xbox as a competitive alternative. During a Senate Finance Committee hearing featuring U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai, Senator Cantwell highlighted concerns about high-end game market in Japan, asserting that PlayStation holds a 98% monopoly in this sector in Japan. Cantwell expressed disapproval of what was characterized as Sony's anti-competitive behavior facilitated by exclusive deals and payments to game publishers. The senator further criticized Japan Fair Trade Commission for purportedly neglecting to investigate Sony's conduct, referring to it as "exclusionary." Cantwell sought insights into how Japan aimed to establish a "level playing field" in response to these perceived issues.[141]

Microsoft Gaming manages numerous software services, including Xbox Game Pass, Xbox Cloud Gaming, Xbox Network, Microsoft Store, and Battle.net. The Xbox Network experienced substantial growth, with 120 million monthly active players as of December 2022, marking a notable increase from 46 million at the beginning of 2016.[142][143] By July 30, 2024, the number of monthly active players had reached 500 million following the acquisition of Activision Blizzard.[144]

Xbox Game Pass and xCloud

edit

Microsoft created Xbox Game Pass in 2017. Xbox Game Pass is a subscription service that offers a vast library of games for a monthly fee. This includes a mix of first-party titles, third-party games, and titles available across PC and console platforms. The service has been praised for its value and has become a significant part of Microsoft's gaming strategy.[145] In 2022, Microsoft announces Xbox Game Pass surpassed 25 million subscribers.[146] Microsoft Gaming is investing over $1 billion in the gaming market annually to expand the Game Pass library by bringing in third-party games.[147] By February 15, 2024, the number of Xbox Game Pass subscribers reached 34 million.[53]

Microsoft Gaming launched Xbox Cloud Gaming for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers on September 15, 2020. Xbox Cloud Gaming is Microsoft's cloud gaming service designed to allow users to play high-quality video games via streaming on a variety of devices. The service uses cloud technology to enable gaming on devices such as smartphones, tablets and PCs without the need for high-end hardware.

Film and TV series production

edit

Microsoft Gaming oversees the management and licensing of its gaming franchises to external production studios. The division has expressed that these partnerships are aimed at bringing the beloved gaming universes to a wider audience through the medium of television.

Licensed completed works or those in production include the following: the Halo television series, produced by Showtime Networks and released in 2022;[148] the Fallout television series, produced by Amazon MGM Studios and released in 2024;[149] the Minecraft feature film, produced by Warner Bros. with a release in 2025;[150] the Minecraft animated television series, to be produced by WildBrain;[151] the Gears of War live-action feature film as well as its adult animated spin-off series, to be produced by Netflix;[152] the Grounded animated television series, to be produced by Bardel Entertainment;[153] and others. The division also manages the motion picture production company Activision Blizzard Studios.

Public relations

edit
 
Xbox at Gamescom

Gaming events and transparency

edit

In terms of international engagement, Microsoft Gaming has actively participated in key gaming expos worldwide. The company has been a notable presence at events such as E3 and Summer Game Fest in the United States, Gamescom in Germany, Paris Games Week in France, the Tokyo Game Show in Japan, and CCXP in Brazil.[154][155][156] The company organizes major gaming conventions such as BlizzCon and QuakeCon, and also have other shows, including Developers Direct, Xbox Partner Preview, Xbox Games Showcase, Inside Xbox and Xbox X0.[157]

Phil Spencer emphasized that participating in large gaming expos and maintaining transparency is essential to connect with their business partners, fans, consumers and various gaming communities, showcase their latest innovations, and engage with fans on a global scale.[158] Following the troubled launch of Redfall, Phil Spencer, in an interview with Kinda Funny Games, has apologized to the fans and pledged to provide a more robust roadmap for releasing high-quality games.[159][160]

Criticism and controversies

edit

Monopolistic tendencies

edit

Microsoft Gaming has faced criticism from video game journalists and industry observers regarding its strategic acquisitions. The company's move to acquire major gaming publishers, including the notable purchase of ZeniMax Media and Activision Blizzard, has sparked debates about potential monopolistic tendencies.[161][162] Critics argue that such acquisitions may concentrate too much power within Microsoft, raising concerns about healthy competition within the gaming industry. Various Video game journalists have criticized Microsoft Gaming of attempting to create a monopoly by acquiring two significant gaming publishers.[163][164] The concern centers around the potential impact on market competition, with skeptics worrying that the consolidation of major titles under one umbrella might limit choices for gamers and stifle innovation.[165]

Mismanagement of gaming studios and layoffs

edit

There has been controversy surrounding Microsoft's mismanagement of their gaming studios. Following the failed launch of Halo Infinite and Redfall, critics have started to criticize Microsoft for this issue.[166][167] There have been reports about Everwild and Perfect Dark also being in development hell.[168][169] Most of the criticism was directed at Matt Booty, President of Game Content and Studios, for his past management of Xbox Game Studios division.[170]

Microsoft Gaming has faced criticism on multiple occasions for video game layoffs. In 2022, 343 Industries lost over 60 employees due to layoffs, leading to public criticism from several former 343 Industries employees regarding Microsoft's leadership and management policies.[171] In 2024, Microsoft Gaming underwent another round of layoffs, with Microsoft laying off 1,900 employees. Additionally, during this time, Microsoft canceled Blizzard Entertainment's new game Project Odyssey, which also garnered criticism from fans and journalists.[172] FTC expressed concern that Microsoft's layoffs seemed inconsistent with past claims of preserving operational autonomy post-Activision Blizzard acquisition.[173] Microsoft, in a statement, claimed that Activision Blizzard had already been planning to eliminate a significant number of jobs while still operating independently, and that these layoffs are unrelated to the merger.[174]

After several studio closures, multiple Microsoft employees and video game journalists criticized Microsoft for its decision. Dinga Bakaba, the studio head of Arkane Lyon, publicly criticized Microsoft Gaming executives for their decision to close several studios. He emphasized the importance of taking care of artists and entertainers in the video game industry, highlighting that their role is to create value for corporations.[175] Booty was also criticized for comments he made during a town hall meeting with employees following the closures, in which he stated that Microsoft needed “smaller games that give us prestige and awards,” which many saw as hypocritical as one of the studios that Microsoft closed, Tango Gameworks, was behind the critically acclaimed and award-winning game Hi-Fi Rush.[176]

Toxic work environment

edit

In 2022, an investigation conducted by Kotaku revealed concerns about the studio environment at Undead Labs, suggesting the presence of sexism within the company. The studio's new leader, Philip Holt, who succeeded Strain, and the then-Head of HR, Anne Schlosser, were both implicated in fostering this problematic culture. Following a Microsoft HR investigation, Schlosser was subsequently removed from her role. Despite her departure, the persisting toxic work environment led to a significant turnover of experienced staff. The amalgamation of these issues, coupled with a lack of a clear design direction, resulted in substantial delays in the development of State of Decay 3.[177] Employees also pointed fingers at Microsoft for not promptly addressing reports of abuse, claiming that the company fell short of its diversity, equity, and inclusion objectives.[178] There have also been concerns about whether Microsoft will address the toxic work environment at Activision Blizzard following the acquisition.[179] Microsoft pledged to address the toxic workplace environment at Activision Blizzard after the acquisition.[180] On December 16, 2023, Activision Blizzard agreed to pay approximately $54 million to settle discrimination claims brought by the California Civil Rights Department on behalf of women employed by the company. Activision Blizzard also agreed to take steps to ensure “fair pay and promotion practices” at the company.[181]

On December 5, 2023, 300 quality assurance (QA) workers at ZeniMax Media announced that they were organizing a union.[182] In June 2023, Microsoft and the Communication Workers of America (CWA) announced a labor neutrality agreement.[183] This agreement enabled Activision Blizzard employees to freely establish a union, and Microsoft committed to recognizing and accepting that union.[184] 600 Activision QA employees became members of the Communication Workers of America on March 8, 2024, making it the largest game developer union in North America.[185]

Multiplatform development

edit

The decision to distribute various first-party Xbox titles on non-Xbox consoles, particularly its direct competitor the PlayStation 5, has been a subject of continued scrutiny since rumors first emerged of the initiative taking place internally at Microsoft in early 2024. Certain commentators have remarked upon the potential for games reaching platforms with more matured install bases and more players such as the PlayStation 5 or Nintendo Switch, to benefit Microsoft financially with regards to simultaneously providing sufficient returns for funding future game development, as well as avoiding cost-cutting measures such as job layoffs, the likes of which the company had engaged with throughout 2024 with its gaming division.[186] Speculating on the strategy, Digital Foundry editor Richard Leadbetter wrote on Eurogamer that with the acquisition of previous third-party publishers such as Bethesda Softworks and Activision Blizzard, Microsoft Gaming was already setting themselves up as "one of the largest multi-platform publishers on the market" with their established presence on PlayStation and Nintendo consoles in addition to Microsoft's ownership of Minecraft, and that attempts to limit Xbox's addressable audience to their traditional consoles and PC was becoming increasingly unsustainable by making such developers forfeit the release of said games on other consoles.[187] Oli Welsh from Polygon reciprocated the speculation, also adding that in the ninth generation of video game consoles, the Xbox Series X/S already occupied a "distant third place" in hardware sales when compared to either of its competing platforms, and wasn't able to recapture the market share and financial viability Microsoft had previously enjoyed during the Xbox 360 generation, meaning distributing their portfolio to the "tens of millions of customers" on PlayStation and Nintendo consoles was an approach to software that could prove itself more successful due to the franchises under their umbrella they could exploit. Furthermore, he cited the acquisition of Activision Blizzard as an event that possibly reoriented Xbox's necessity for increased profits and the need to expand audiences beyond Xbox consoles and PC, particularly with retaining the strongly amassed playerbases for franchises such as Call of Duty, Diablo and Overwatch among others, as opposed to limiting their reach by extending console exclusivity towards them.[188] Reporting on the strategic pivot for The Verge in February 2024, Microsoft content editor Tom Warren surmised that Xbox's plan to branch out beyond their standard three-tier console and PC and cloud gaming model to other platforms was an indicator of a lack of engagement with their content and services, particularly with regards to slowing Game Pass subscriptions and the need for the company to pursue other revenue streams such as mobile. He cited unmet growth estimates for the Xbox division during the 2022 and 2023 fiscal years, and a shift to marketing PC Game Pass as opposed to the console service, but still noted that extending their content to consoles such as PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch were not going to help their "embiggening ambitions" for making Xbox widely adopted from a hardware and software standpoint.[189]

In contrast, criticism has been directed at Microsoft Gaming for such a strategy deincentivizing the value proposition of an Xbox console both as a competing hardware platform, as well as an intrinsic device in their ecosystem to facilitate software and services. Windows Central editor Jez Corden derided the move as an extension of Microsoft's wider history of devaluing other in-house hardware projects such as the Surface line and Windows Phone, namely in that potentially moving premier first-party franchises outside Xbox platforms threatened to eliminate any reason for investing in Xbox hardware, while simultaneously empowering their competitors, and stagnating their acquisition of users for both their console, and associated services such as Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Cloud Gaming.[190] He also anticipated that Xbox transitioning towards a third-party publishing model would leave PlayStation without any substantial competition in the premium console space, allowing them to exercise their control over the gaming market by taking larger profits from third-party games on their consoles and promoting platform consolidation for consumers and developers.[191] Writing for Medium, Zack Daniels similarly expressed disillusionment towards Xbox's plans, commenting that such action taking place would also undermine their prior affirmed stances on game exclusivity that were reiterated throughout the Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S console cycles, particularly with regards to securing games such as Starfield and Senua's Saga: Hellblade II as marquee console exclusives for driving hardware and service engagement.[192] Former Blizzard Entertainment CEO Mike Ybarra responded to a fan inquiry on Twitter / X regarding the differing approaches to platform exclusivity between Sony Interactive Entertainment and Microsoft Gaming in light of their strategic pivot and Phil Spencer's comments about industry shifts in game distribution, suggesting that console exclusive games were to remain the key factor in a successful games platform, and that platform holders like Microsoft were pushing a "narrative that fits for them."[193]

The announcement of the MachineGames title Indiana Jones and the Great Circle (2024) launching on PlayStation 5 after a period of timed exclusivity on Xbox Series X/S and PC was met with particularly divisive reactions due to its original confirmation as an Xbox console exclusive,[194] as Microsoft Gaming had amended the contract terms with IP holder Lucasfilm to initially exclude a PlayStation 5 release after their acquisition of MachineGames alongside other Bethesda studios in 2021.[195] Ben Kerry from Pure Xbox wrote that announcing a PlayStation 5 version of an Xbox first-party game that had been marketed as exclusive up to that point removed any interest in potential new customers investing in Xbox's hardware platform or ecosystem, and remarked that there wasn't much initiative within Microsoft to promote Indiana Jones as an Xbox-associated game first and foremost outside its attachment to Game Pass.[196] GamesIndustry contributing editor Rob Fahey weighed in on the decision, noting the non-traditional way in which the exclusivity margins were detailed by confirming an additional platform before the launch of the game on its target hardware, and concluding that Microsoft informing the public of the game's limited window of exclusivity before the game's release significantly dampens the prospect of the title faring financially well on its primary systems, while hypothesizing that Microsoft did not care about such effects occurring to Xbox console sales during The Great Circle's launch, as it illustrated a more affirmed transition period towards third-party publishing from the onset.[197] Following up on Windows Central, Jez Corden critiqued the move by describing it as "a masterclass in bad product marketing", framing Microsoft's way of providing potentially impactful news to Xbox customers as dismantling the goodwill the company had fought to recuperate following the launch reception of Xbox One in 2013, and lamenting that it gave off the impression the Xbox console was "on the lowest rung of Microsoft's priority list."[198]

Corporate structure

edit
Main article: List of Microsoft Gaming studios

Microsoft Gaming has a major global presence and studios located across the world. Globally, Microsoft owns 40 studios and employs over 20,100 people.[199] While the majority of Microsoft's gaming activities are based in the United States, the company has strategically expanded its reach internationally. This global approach allows Microsoft to collaborate with diverse talent and develop a wide range of gaming experiences for a global audience. In addition to the United States, Microsoft has established and acquired studios in various countries such as United Kingdom, Canada, Sweden, France, Spain, Mexico, Germany, Poland, China, Japan, Ireland, Malta, and Australia, contributing to the company's status as a key player in the worldwide gaming industry.[200] In the United Kingdom alone, Microsoft Gaming owns four video game development studios and employs over 1,000 people. Playground Games, Rare, Ninja Theory, and King are among the studios owned by Microsoft in the UK.[201] In Canada, Microsoft Gaming owns five video game studios, including The Coalition and Beenox, making it one of the largest video game employers in the country, alongside Electronic Arts and Ubisoft.[202]

Microsoft Gaming
Xbox Game Studios ZeniMax Media Activision Blizzard
Activision
Blizzard Entertainment
King
Major League Gaming
Activision Blizzard Studios

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ "Microsoft Gaming Q4". July 30, 2024.
  2. ^ Kerr, Chris (October 13, 2023). "Activision Blizzard joins Xbox Game Studios following Microsoft merger". Game Developer. Archived from the original on November 25, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  3. ^ Vlessing, Etan (October 24, 2023). "Xbox Sales Drop But Microsoft's Gaming Division Grows in Revenue". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on November 14, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  4. ^ a b Taylor, Mollie (January 18, 2022). "Microsoft to acquire Activision Blizzard for $68.7 billion". PC Gamer. Archived from the original on November 14, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  5. ^ a b Good, Owen S. (January 18, 2022). "Here's everything Microsoft owns after the Activision Blizzard deal". Polygon. Archived from the original on November 14, 2023. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
  6. ^ "Microsoft investors want new CEO to kill Xbox". Destructoid. February 10, 2014. Archived from the original on November 22, 2023. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
  7. ^ "Investors want Microsoft to dump Xbox and Bing, and they have a point". Network World. Archived from the original on November 22, 2023. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
  8. ^ Yarow, Jay (July 16, 2013). "Microsoft Has A Full-Blown Mall Right On Its Massive Headquarters". Business Insider. Archived from the original on December 12, 2023. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
  9. ^ Bishop, Todd (November 27, 2013). "A bridge to Xbox: Microsoft to fund $33M project connecting employees to light rail". GeekWire. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
  10. ^ "Microsoft Buys Minecraft Maker Mojang for $2.5 Billion". PCMAG. Archived from the original on November 14, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  11. ^ Peters, Jay (November 4, 2020). "The different strategies of Microsoft and Sony's next-generation consoles". The Verge. Archived from the original on November 22, 2023. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
  12. ^ "Microsoft's Secret Weapon For Next-Gen Is Xbox Game Pass". GameSpot. Archived from the original on September 26, 2023. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
  13. ^ a b "Alumnus Phil Spencer, CEO of Microsoft Gaming, receives Engineering Diamond Award". HCDE Washington. January 27, 2022. Archived from the original on December 13, 2023. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  14. ^ Colp, Tyler (January 18, 2022). "Every game and studio Microsoft now owns". PC Gamer. Archived from the original on November 14, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  15. ^ "Microsoft to Buy Bethesda for $7.5 Billion to Boost Xbox". Bloomberg.com. September 21, 2020. Archived from the original on September 21, 2020. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  16. ^ "Phil Spencer Says Activision Blizzard Deal Is Focused On Candy Crush, Not Call Of Duty". GameSpot. Archived from the original on November 28, 2023. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
  17. ^ Littleton, Cynthia (May 31, 2023). "Bobby Kotick Breaks His Silence: Embattled Activision CEO Addresses Toxic Workforce Claims as Microsoft Deal Hangs in Balance". Variety. Archived from the original on November 20, 2023. Retrieved December 17, 2023.
  18. ^ Activision's Kotick on Microsoft Deal, His Future, October 13, 2023, archived from the original on November 22, 2023, retrieved November 22, 2023
  19. ^ "Microsoft and Sony sign deal to keep Activision's Call of Duty on PlayStation". CNBC. July 16, 2023. Archived from the original on February 22, 2024. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
  20. ^ "Microsoft Signs 'Call of Duty' Pacts With Nintendo and Nvidia as Activision Deal Faces Scrutiny". The Wall Street Journal. February 21, 2023. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
  21. ^ "Microsoft inks Nvidia game deal to assuage regulators over Activision merger". Reuters. February 21, 2023. Archived from the original on May 31, 2023. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
  22. ^ "Microsoft signs another Call of Duty deal with cloud gaming company Boosteroid". TechCrunch. March 14, 2023. Archived from the original on December 9, 2023. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
  23. ^ "Microsoft signs fourth Call of Duty deal in fresh bid to win over regulators". The Verge. March 15, 2023. Archived from the original on February 22, 2024. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
  24. ^ Samuel Tolbert (March 15, 2023). "Microsoft agrees to yet another 10-year Cloud gaming deal for Xbox and Activision". Windows Central. Archived from the original on December 17, 2023. Retrieved December 17, 2023.
  25. ^ "Microsoft Signs Another 10-Year Call Of Duty Deal". Kotaku. March 15, 2023. Archived from the original on February 22, 2024. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
  26. ^ "Microsoft announces another 10-year partnership, this time with EE". Eurogamer. April 11, 2023. Archived from the original on February 22, 2024. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
  27. ^ "Microsoft signs 10-year deal with Spain's Nware after UK blocks Activision bid". Reuters. April 28, 2023. Archived from the original on April 30, 2023. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
  28. ^ "Ubisoft and Activision Blizzard's deal for cloud gaming rights, explained". The Verge. October 13, 2023. Archived from the original on November 23, 2023. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
  29. ^ SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, UNITED STATES (January 30, 2024). "MICROSOFT FORM 10-Q".
  30. ^ Lombardo, Cara (January 18, 2022). "Microsoft to Buy Activision Blizzard in All-Cash Deal Valued at $75 Billion". WSJ. Archived from the original on January 19, 2022. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
  31. ^ Scott, Kevin (June 1, 2022). "Behind the Tech with Phil Spencer: CEO, Microsoft Gaming". Microsoft. Archived from the original on December 13, 2023. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  32. ^ Kovach, Steve (January 18, 2022). "Microsoft to buy Activision in $68.7 billion all-cash deal". CNBC. Archived from the original on January 18, 2022. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  33. ^ "Microsoft has officially completed its acquisition of Activision Blizzard". VGC. October 13, 2023. Archived from the original on October 13, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  34. ^ "Phil Spencer biography" (PDF). Microsoft. October 28, 2023. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  35. ^ "Bethesda Quietly Acquired Nemesys Games Last Year, Now ZeniMax Online Studios Hungary". GamingBolt. Archived from the original on April 22, 2023. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
  36. ^ Warren, Tom (October 26, 2023). "Microsoft reorgs its Xbox and marketing teams to prepare for an AI and gaming future". The Verge. Archived from the original on November 13, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  37. ^ Capoot, Ashley (December 20, 2023). "Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick to step down at the end of the year". CNBC. Archived from the original on December 20, 2023. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  38. ^ Parrish, Ash (October 13, 2023). "Bobby Kotick will stay at Activision Blizzard until the end of 2023". The Verge. Archived from the original on December 5, 2023. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
  39. ^ Young, Jennifer; published, Jez Corden (December 30, 2023). "As Bobby Kotick leaves Microsoft and Activision for good, ex-employees recall how Kotick once threatened to 'have an employee killed'". Windows Central. Archived from the original on February 27, 2024. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
  40. ^ Parrish, Ash (December 20, 2023). "Microsoft announces more Xbox leadership changes as Activision's Bobby Kotick departs". The Verge. Archived from the original on January 14, 2024. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  41. ^ "Microsoft cutting 1,900 gaming staff in post-Activision Blizzard deal layoff round". Yahoo Finance. January 25, 2024. Archived from the original on January 25, 2024. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  42. ^ "Blizzard's president and chief design officer are leaving, and its survival game has been cancelled". VGC. January 25, 2024. Archived from the original on February 27, 2024. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
  43. ^ Webster, Andrew (January 25, 2024). "Blizzard cancels survival game following layoffs". The Verge. Archived from the original on January 25, 2024. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  44. ^ "Layoffs at Toys for Bob and Sledgehammer Games affect between 30% and 40% of staff, insider says". Eurogamer.net. January 27, 2024. Archived from the original on February 27, 2024. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
  45. ^ Birch, Nathan (January 25, 2024). "Xbox Layoffs Reportedly Include Shutdown of Physical Release Teams, Acti-Blizz User Support". Wccftech. Archived from the original on January 25, 2024. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  46. ^ "Blizzard's New President Johanna Faries Is a Former 'Call of Duty,' NFL Executive". Bloomberg.com. January 29, 2024. Archived from the original on July 18, 2024. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  47. ^ "Crash Bandicoot Developer Toys for Bob Struck by Layoffs, Office Closure". Push Square. February 8, 2024. Archived from the original on February 8, 2024. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
  48. ^ Spencer, Phil (February 5, 2024). "Microsoft Gaming Official Statement". Archived from the original on July 18, 2024. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  49. ^ Stedman, Alex (February 5, 2024). "Xbox Will Reveal More 'About Our Vision for the Future' in Business Update Next Week". IGN. Archived from the original on July 18, 2024. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  50. ^ Warren, Tom (February 12, 2024). "The future of Xbox will be revealed on February 15th". The Verge. Archived from the original on February 12, 2024. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
  51. ^ Warren, Tom (February 12, 2024). "Microsoft prepares to take Xbox everywhere". The Verge. Archived from the original on February 12, 2024. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
  52. ^ "Four Xbox-exclusive games heading to PS5 and Switch, confirms Phil Spencer". Eurogamer.net. February 15, 2024. Archived from the original on July 18, 2024. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  53. ^ a b c Warren, Tom (February 15, 2024). "Microsoft's gaming chief on Xbox games coming to PS5, next-gen hardware, and more". The Verge. Archived from the original on February 15, 2024. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  54. ^ Bass, Dina (February 15, 2024). "Microsoft Is Taking Four Xbox Exclusives to PlayStation, Nintendo Switch". Bloomberg.
  55. ^ Booty, Matt (February 21, 2024). "New Platforms, New Players: Four Fan-Favorite Xbox Games Coming to Nintendo Switch and Sony Platforms". Xbox Wire. Archived from the original on February 21, 2024. Retrieved February 22, 2024.
  56. ^ "We're Going Indie!". www.toysforbob.com. Archived from the original on February 29, 2024. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  57. ^ "Crash Bandicoot 4 developer Toys for Bob is going independent". Digital Trends. February 29, 2024. Archived from the original on February 29, 2024. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  58. ^ Parrish, Ash (January 23, 2023). "Blizzard games go offline in China". The Verge. Archived from the original on April 10, 2024. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
  59. ^ Huang, Jiahui. "Blizzard Videogames to Return to China in New Deal With NetEase". WSJ. Archived from the original on April 10, 2024. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
  60. ^ Hirun Cryer (May 7, 2024). "Microsoft reportedly closing the Bethesda studios behind Redfall, Hi-Fi Rush, and more following "reprioritization of titles and resources"". gamesradar. Archived from the original on May 7, 2024. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
  61. ^ Yin-Poole, Wesley (May 7, 2024). "Microsoft Closes Redfall Developer Arkane Austin, Hi-Fi Rush Developer Tango Gameworks, and More in Devastating Cuts at Bethesda". IGN. Archived from the original on May 8, 2024. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
  62. ^ Lyles, Taylor (June 9, 2024). "DOOM: The Dark Ages Announced, Confirmed for PS5 - Xbox Games Showcase 2024". IGN. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  63. ^ Stedman, Alex (June 9, 2024). "Phil Spencer Briefly Explains the Decision to Bring Doom: The Dark Ages to PlayStation 5 - IGN Live 2024". IGN. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  64. ^ Warren, Tom (June 17, 2024). "Microsoft shakes up Xbox marketing as key exec departs for Roblox". The Verge. Archived from the original on June 17, 2024. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
  65. ^ Jez Corden (August 12, 2024). "Former Xbox studio Tango Gameworks and 'Hi-Fi Rush' have been acquired by PUBG's Krafton Inc, saving it from closure". Windows Central. Retrieved August 12, 2024.
  66. ^ Lyles, Taylor (August 20, 2024). "Indiana Jones and the Great Circle Finally Gets a Release Date for Xbox...and PlayStation | gamescom 2024". IGN. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  67. ^ Warren, Tom (June 22, 2023). "Bethesda's Indiana Jones game is exclusive to Xbox and PC". The Verge. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  68. ^ Square, Push (August 21, 2024). "Xbox Renegotiated Indiana Jones Deal to Exclude PS5, Then Ported It Anyway". Push Square. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  69. ^ Xbox, Pure (August 21, 2024). "Xbox Boss Phil Spencer Comments On Indiana Jones PS5, And Microsoft's Plan Moving Forward". Pure Xbox. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  70. ^ Xbox, Pure (August 22, 2024). "Phil Spencer On Game Exclusivity: 'We Have To Anticipate There's Going To Be More Change'". Pure Xbox. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
  71. ^ Maas, Jennifer (September 12, 2024). "Microsoft Gaming to Lay Off 3% of Global Workforce, About 650 Employees, in Additional Post-Activision Blizzard Cuts". Variety. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
  72. ^ "Microsoft's Gaming Chief Is Still Open to Acquisitions After Activision Deal". Bloomberg.com. November 13, 2024. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  73. ^ Astle, Aaron (November 13, 2024). "Microsoft eyes potential mobile studio acquisition". PocketGamer. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  74. ^ Yin-Poole, Wesley (November 13, 2024). "Microsoft Confirms Plans to Release an Xbox Handheld, but It's Years Away". IGN. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  75. ^ Lowry, Brendan (November 13, 2024). ""I think the ball is moving in the right direction." Xbox head Phil Spencer confirms Microsoft mobile game store delay amid Apple, Google regulations in interview". Windows Central. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  76. ^ Kerry, Ben (November 13, 2024). "Xbox Boss Says Everything Is On The Table When It Comes To PS5 Ports". Pure Xbox. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  77. ^ "Xbox isn't ruling out any game for PS5 or Switch, Spencer reiterates". VGC. November 13, 2024. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  78. ^ Warren, Tom (November 14, 2024). "Xbox continues its push beyond consoles with new ad campaign". The Verge. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  79. ^ McNary, Craig (November 14, 2024). "This Is an Xbox". Xbox Wire. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  80. ^ Warren, Tom (October 26, 2023). "Microsoft reorgs its Xbox and marketing teams to prepare for an AI and gaming future". The Verge. Archived from the original on November 13, 2023. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  81. ^ Warren, Tom (October 26, 2023). "Read Phil Spencer's full Microsoft memo on the new Xbox leadership changes". The Verge. Archived from the original on December 15, 2023. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
  82. ^ "Game on: An interview with Microsoft's head of gaming ecosystem | McKinsey". www.mckinsey.com. Archived from the original on December 8, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  83. ^ Carpenter, Nicole (June 21, 2021). "Xbox Game Studios exec says the focus is diversity — in games, studios, and players". Polygon. Archived from the original on December 17, 2023. Retrieved December 17, 2023.
  84. ^ "Harvard Business Publishing Education". hbsp.harvard.edu. Archived from the original on July 18, 2024. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  85. ^ "Microsoft explains why Xbox is now a service-first business". TweakTown. September 15, 2020. Archived from the original on November 14, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  86. ^ Nelva, Giuseppe (November 28, 2023). "Xbox CFO Discusses Opportunities with AI, How Microsoft Measures Its Success in Games, and More". TechRaptor. Archived from the original on November 29, 2023. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  87. ^ Webster, Andrew (June 11, 2019). "Xbox boss Phil Spencer on the future of gaming: "The business isn't how many consoles you sell"". The Verge. Archived from the original on March 4, 2020. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
  88. ^ Batchelor, James Batchelor (October 16, 2023). "So, Microsoft now owns Activision Blizzard. How will this affect the rest of the industry?". GamesIndustry.biz. Archived from the original on December 16, 2023. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
  89. ^ Takahashi, Dean (June 9, 2022). "Microsoft's Phil Spencer lays out a 20-year vision for games". VentureBeat. Archived from the original on December 17, 2023. Retrieved December 17, 2023.
  90. ^ Bailey, Kat (February 15, 2024). "Xbox Business Update Confirms Four Exclusives Going Multi-Platform, Reveals Diablo 4 Game Pass Date". IGN. Archived from the original on February 15, 2024. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  91. ^ Updates on the Xbox Business | Official Xbox Podcast. February 15, 2024. Archived from the original on February 15, 2024. Retrieved February 15, 2024 – via YouTube.
  92. ^ "What gaming companies does Microsoft own?". Gamepur. January 23, 2022. Archived from the original on November 14, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  93. ^ "Xbox Live Creators Program Lets All Users Self-Publish Games on Xbox One". Digital Trends. March 1, 2017. Archived from the original on July 18, 2024. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
  94. ^ Snider, Mike. "Xbox and PlayStation: How Sony and Microsoft changed the way we play video games". USA TODAY. Archived from the original on July 18, 2024. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
  95. ^ Shanley, Patrick (February 5, 2020). "Xbox Head Sees Amazon, Google as "Main Competitors"". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on December 4, 2023. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
  96. ^ "Call of Duty Franchise Crosses 425 Million Lifetime Sales, Over $30 Billion in Revenue". gamingbolt.com. Archived from the original on May 31, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  97. ^ "Xbox has 20 video game franchises that have earned $1 billion". TweakTown. October 24, 2024. Retrieved October 26, 2024.
  98. ^ "King's Candy Crush Saga hits $20bn in lifetime revenue | GamesIndustry.biz". September 27, 2023. Archived from the original on September 27, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  99. ^ Phil Spencer on Activision Blizzard King + Xbox | Official Xbox Podcast. October 17, 2023. Archived from the original on November 11, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2023 – via YouTube.
  100. ^ Ballard, John (October 18, 2023). "Did Microsoft Waste $69 Billion on Activision Blizzard?". The Motley Fool. Archived from the original on November 8, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  101. ^ "【VIPインタビュー】マイクロソフト フィル・スペンサー氏「Xboxとは、マルチデバイスで遊べるプレイヤーのコミュニティー」 | ゲーム・エンタメ最新情報のファミ通.com". ファミ通.com (in Japanese). October 31, 2023. Archived from the original on November 26, 2023. Retrieved November 26, 2023.
  102. ^ "Microsoft Now Claims It's Actually Serious About Releasing Four First-Party Games Every Year". GameSpot. Archived from the original on February 28, 2024. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  103. ^ "Phil Spencer won't force Xbox devs to make sequels, believes in creative freedom". TweakTown. May 4, 2023. Archived from the original on December 26, 2023. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
  104. ^ Phil Spencer on Activision Blizzard King + Xbox | Official Xbox Podcast. October 17, 2023. Archived from the original on November 11, 2023. Retrieved December 26, 2023 – via YouTube.
  105. ^ Peters, Jay (November 6, 2023). "Blizzard's president on the studio's "new era" under Xbox". The Verge. Archived from the original on December 26, 2023. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
  106. ^ Williams, Callum (October 18, 2020). "Phil Spencer Says It's Up to Rare To Make New Banjo-Kazooie and Conker Games". Game Rant. Archived from the original on March 24, 2024. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
  107. ^ Warren, Richard (January 19, 2022). "After Xbox's Activision Blizzard Acquisition, It's Clear That PlayStation Needs an Exclusive FPS". Game Rant. Archived from the original on July 18, 2024. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  108. ^ "Xbox is making big power plays for RPG dominance". TweakTown. January 10, 2021. Archived from the original on November 19, 2023. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  109. ^ Bailey, Kat; Reilly, Luke (September 7, 2023). "Starfield Is Officially the Biggest Bethesda Game Launch of All Time". IGN. Archived from the original on December 13, 2023. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  110. ^ Velde, Issy van der (October 13, 2023). "Microsoft now officially owns PlayStation mascots Crash and Spyro". Dot Esports. Archived from the original on November 21, 2023. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
  111. ^ Good, Owen S. (November 4, 2021). "Forza Horizon 5's high-speed feast is bigger than the heartiest appetite". Polygon. Archived from the original on March 2, 2022. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
  112. ^ Browning, Kellen (January 19, 2022). "It's Not Complicated. Microsoft Wants Activision for Its Games". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on November 19, 2023. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  113. ^ "Why Xbox failed in Japan". Eurogamer.net. November 17, 2013. Archived from the original on July 1, 2022. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  114. ^ Cardy, Simon (October 20, 2023). "Spider-Man 2 Proves PlayStation is Still King of Story-Driven Games". IGN. Archived from the original on November 19, 2023. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  115. ^ Tassi, Paul. "Microsoft Explains Why It's Not Making Xbox Games Like 'Breath of the Wild' Or 'Horizon Zero Dawn'". Forbes. Archived from the original on November 19, 2023. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  116. ^ Peters, Jay (February 19, 2022). "Read exactly how Microsoft's $68.7 billion deal for Activision Blizzard came together". The Verge. Archived from the original on June 29, 2023. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
  117. ^ "Former Fortnite Loremaster Shares Early Metaverse Ambitions". Yahoo Life. December 11, 2023. Archived from the original on December 12, 2023. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
  118. ^ Quah, Nicholas (January 19, 2022). "It's All About the Metaverse". Vulture. Archived from the original on December 12, 2023. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
  119. ^ Needleman, Sarah E. (January 20, 2022). "What the Metaverse Has to Do With Microsoft's Deal for Activision Blizzard". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Archived from the original on December 17, 2023. Retrieved December 17, 2023.
  120. ^ Barbaro, Michael; Guillemette, Daniel; Bonja, Rachelle; Krupke, Eric; Ploeg, Luke Vander; Benoist, Mike; Chow, Lisa; Powell, Dan; Lozano, Marion (January 20, 2022). "Microsoft and the Metaverse". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on December 12, 2023. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
  121. ^ "What Microsoft's plans to buy Activision Blizzard means for the next version of the internet". World Economic Forum. January 19, 2022. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
  122. ^ Frew, Matthew; Tzanidis, Theo (January 21, 2022). "How Microsoft's Activision Blizzard takeover will drive metaverse gaming into the mass market". The Conversation. Archived from the original on December 12, 2023. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
  123. ^ "Activision Blizzard deal positions Microsoft for the metaverse | TechTarget". Unified Communications. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
  124. ^ "Xbox must have mobile presence if it's going to thrive, Phil Spencer says". Eurogamer.net. August 23, 2023. Archived from the original on December 14, 2023. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  125. ^ Webster, Andrew (January 18, 2022). "Microsoft's Activision acquisition would instantly make it a force in mobile gaming". The Verge. Archived from the original on December 18, 2023. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
  126. ^ Lowry, Brendan (January 19, 2022). "Microsoft's Activision acquisition finally gives it a mobile gaming foothold". Windows Central. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  127. ^ Patel, Nilay (November 24, 2020). "Microsoft's Phil Spencer on launching the new Xbox and the future of games". The Verge. Archived from the original on November 24, 2020. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  128. ^ "Xbox Talking to Partners for Mobile Store, CEO Spencer Says". Bloomberg.com. November 30, 2023. Archived from the original on November 30, 2023. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
  129. ^ "Microsoft Plans Mobile Game Store, Vying With Apple, Google". www.bloomberg.com. Archived from the original on May 10, 2024. Retrieved May 9, 2024.
  130. ^ Porter, Jon (September 14, 2020). "Xbox Series X and S: everything you need to know about the next gen of Xbox". The Verge. Archived from the original on November 15, 2023. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
  131. ^ "Xbox Series X/S Has Sold 21 Million Units, Xbox One at 58 Million, as Per Microsoft Brazil Presentation". GamingBolt. Archived from the original on June 30, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  132. ^ "Microsoft Loses Up to $200 on Every Xbox Console Sold". PCMAG. Archived from the original on December 16, 2023. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
  133. ^ "Microsoft Loses Between $100-$200 On Every Xbox It Sells". Kotaku. October 31, 2022. Archived from the original on December 17, 2023. Retrieved December 17, 2023.
  134. ^ "PS4 sold "twice as many" units as Xbox One, new court papers show". Eurogamer.net. August 14, 2022. Archived from the original on December 29, 2023. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  135. ^ Warren, Tom (August 15, 2022). "Microsoft finally admits Xbox One sales were less than half of the PS4". The Verge. Archived from the original on February 7, 2023. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  136. ^ a b rawmeatcowboy (February 28, 2023). "New report shows market share and more between Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft". GoNintendo. Archived from the original on November 21, 2023. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  137. ^ Shirey, J. Brodie (July 27, 2023). "PS5 Console Sales Way Ahead of Xbox". Game Rant. Archived from the original on September 20, 2023. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  138. ^ rawmeatcowboy (February 28, 2023). "New report shows market share and more between Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft". GoNintendo. Archived from the original on November 21, 2023. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
  139. ^ "PlayStation has a 70% share of the global console market versus Xbox's 30%, Microsoft claims". VGC. February 21, 2023. Archived from the original on November 19, 2023. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  140. ^ Jez Corden (March 23, 2023). "During trade talks with Japan, a U.S. senator called out PlayStation's 'monopoly,' defending Xbox". Windows Central. Archived from the original on December 22, 2023. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
  141. ^ "POLITICO Pro: Cantwell calls out Sony's gaming 'monopoly' in exchange with U.S. Trade Rep Tai". subscriber.politicopro.com. Archived from the original on December 22, 2023. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
  142. ^ "Xbox Surpasses 120M Monthly Active Users, As Game Pass Reaches 'New Highs'". Pure Xbox. January 25, 2023. Archived from the original on December 17, 2023. Retrieved December 17, 2023.
  143. ^ Staff, G. R. (April 21, 2016). "Microsoft Reports Xbox Live User Base is Over 46 Million". Game Rant. Archived from the original on January 1, 2023. Retrieved December 17, 2023.
  144. ^ "Microsoft Gaming Marks 500 Million Monthly Players, Notes Fallout TV Show's Impact On Game Pass". GameSpot. Retrieved August 3, 2024.
  145. ^ Warren, Tom (October 26, 2022). "Microsoft says Xbox Game Pass is profitable as it sees subscription growth slow". The Verge. Archived from the original on November 14, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  146. ^ Warren, Tom (January 18, 2022). "Microsoft's Xbox Game Pass service grows to 25 million subscribers". The Verge. Archived from the original on January 18, 2022. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  147. ^ Jez Corden (December 1, 2023). ""We have no plans to bring Xbox Game Pass to PlayStation or Nintendo." Xbox CEO Phil Spencer on console hardware, the future of Activision-Blizzard, and much more". Windows Central. Archived from the original on December 1, 2023. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  148. ^ Littleton, Cynthia (June 21, 2022). "The 'Halo' Effect: Paramount+ Series Brings Global Audience to Streamer". Variety. Archived from the original on November 27, 2022. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
  149. ^ Lealos, Shawn S. (July 3, 2023). "The Minecraft Movie: When Production Starts, Story & Everything We Know". ScreenRant. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
  150. ^ "Jason Momoa's 'Minecraft' Books April 2025 Release Date in Theaters". The Hollywood Reporter. April 5, 2023. Archived from the original on April 5, 2023. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  151. ^ "Minecraft animated series announced for Netflix". Eurogamer.net. May 30, 2024. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  152. ^ Kit, Borys (November 7, 2022). "'Gears of War' Video Game Franchise to Get Feature Film, Animated Series Adaptations at Netflix (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on November 7, 2022. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
  153. ^ Roth, Emma (July 19, 2022). "Xbox's "Grounded" is getting an animated TV adaption". The Verge. Archived from the original on May 29, 2024. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  154. ^ "Multiplatform". multiplatform.com. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
  155. ^ Alexander Cope (July 4, 2023). "Xbox is set to attend the 'biggest ever' Tokyo Game Show". Windows Central. Archived from the original on December 12, 2023. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
  156. ^ "Xbox à la Paris Games Week 2023 : tout ce que vous devez savoir". Xbox Wire. October 25, 2023. Archived from the original on December 12, 2023. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
  157. ^ Faulkner, Cameron (November 14, 2019). "X019: all the news from Microsoft's big Xbox event". Archived from the original on December 10, 2023. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
  158. ^ "Phil Spencer 'Enjoys The Transparency' Xbox Has With Its Fanbase". Pure Xbox. March 14, 2022. Archived from the original on December 12, 2023. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
  159. ^ Andy Chalk (May 4, 2023). "Phil Spencer apologizes for Redfall's 'disappointing' launch but promises to keep working on it". PC Gamer. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  160. ^ Phil Spencer Interview: Redfall Reviews, Activision Deal - Kinda Funny Xcast Ep. 137. May 4, 2023. Archived from the original on December 17, 2023. Retrieved December 17, 2023 – via YouTube.
  161. ^ MacDonald, Keza (January 19, 2022). "Monopoly money: is Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard good for gaming?". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
  162. ^ Chan, Anson (April 6, 2021). "Growing Xbox: What a Gaming Monopoly Could Look Like". TechRaptor. Retrieved December 17, 2023.
  163. ^ "Microsoft's Activision Blizzard purchase is a disaster for gaming". Digital Trends. January 18, 2022. Archived from the original on December 12, 2023. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
  164. ^ "The Monopoly Game: How Consolidation Jeopardizes Content Independence in Gaming". AMT Lab @ CMU. July 19, 2022. Archived from the original on December 12, 2023. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
  165. ^ Tedder, Michael (January 18, 2022). "Microsoft Purchases Activision Blizzard; Plans To Dominates The Metaverse". TheStreet. Archived from the original on January 20, 2022. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
  166. ^ Jennifer Young (June 1, 2023). "New report reveals more from inside Redfall's troubled development". Windows Central. Archived from the original on December 12, 2023. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
  167. ^ Ted Litchfield (January 19, 2023). "Former Halo Infinite dev criticizes studio leadership, says layoffs 'shouldn't have happened'". PC Gamer. Archived from the original on December 17, 2023. Retrieved December 17, 2023.
  168. ^ "Everwild rebooted". Bing. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
  169. ^ "Perfect Dark in development hell". Bing. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
  170. ^ Miles Dompier (June 13, 2023). "Matt Booty of Xbox Game Studios addresses Redfall's launch and fan expectations". Windows Central. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
  171. ^ updated, Brendan Lowry last (January 19, 2023). "Former 343i devs respond to Microsoft layoffs: 'They set Halo up for failure' (Update)". Windows Central. Archived from the original on January 27, 2024. Retrieved January 27, 2024.
  172. ^ "Report: Microsoft Cancels Blizzard's Survival Game Amid Layoffs". Kotaku. January 26, 2024. Archived from the original on January 27, 2024. Retrieved January 27, 2024.
  173. ^ "FTC complains about Microsoft's decision to cut Activision Blizzard jobs in court filing". VGC. February 8, 2024. Archived from the original on February 8, 2024. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
  174. ^ "Microsoft replies to the FTC's complaint about layoffs, says Activision was already planning job cuts". VGC. February 8, 2024. Archived from the original on February 8, 2024. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
  175. ^ "'A f***ing gut stab': Arkane boss criticises Microsoft execs for studio closures". VGC. May 7, 2024. Archived from the original on May 7, 2024. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
  176. ^ Parrish, Ash (May 8, 2024). "Microsoft says it needs games like Hi-Fi Rush the day after killing its studio". The Verge. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
  177. ^ Jordan Gerblick (March 31, 2022). "Staff allege toxic culture and mismanagement at State of Decay 3 studio". gamesradar. Archived from the original on December 17, 2023. Retrieved December 17, 2023.
  178. ^ "Allegations Of Sexism, Bullying, And Burnout: Inside The Microsoft Studio Behind State Of Decay 3". Kotaku. March 31, 2022. Archived from the original on December 4, 2023. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  179. ^ Sumagaysay, Levi. "Can Microsoft acquisition cure Activision's toxic workplace?". MarketWatch. Archived from the original on December 16, 2023. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
  180. ^ O'Brien, Sara Ashley (January 27, 2022). "Microsoft makes a big bet that it can fix Activision Blizzard's troubled culture | CNN Business". CNN. Archived from the original on December 13, 2023. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  181. ^ "Activision Blizzard to pay $54 million to settle California state workplace discrimination claims". AP News. December 16, 2023. Archived from the original on March 9, 2024. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  182. ^ Parrish, Ash (December 5, 2022). "Around 300 QA workers at Microsoft-owned ZeniMax are organizing a union". The Verge. Archived from the original on March 9, 2024. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  183. ^ "microsoft let activision blizzard employees to unionize". Bing. Retrieved December 17, 2023.
  184. ^ Carpenter, Nicole (June 13, 2022). "Tech is notoriously anti-union. Microsoft is taking a different approach — neutrality". Polygon. Archived from the original on November 28, 2023. Retrieved December 17, 2023.
  185. ^ Carpenter, Nicole (March 8, 2024). "600 Activision QA workers unionize, Microsoft voluntarily recognizes". Polygon. Archived from the original on March 9, 2024. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  186. ^ Xbox, Pure (February 5, 2024). "Reaction: We're Conflicted About Xbox Exclusives Potentially Going To PS5". Pure Xbox. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  187. ^ Leadbetter, Richard (February 19, 2024). "DF Weekly: a multi-platform future seems inevitable for Microsoft and Sony". Eurogamer.net. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  188. ^ Welsh, Oli (February 7, 2024). "Why are we surprised that Xbox might have a multiplatform plan?". Polygon. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  189. ^ Warren, Tom (February 12, 2024). "Microsoft prepares to take Xbox everywhere". The Verge. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
  190. ^ Corden, Jez (May 15, 2024). "Microsoft's quest for short-term $$$ is doing long-term damage to Windows, Surface, Xbox, and beyond". Windows Central. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  191. ^ Corden, Jez (January 17, 2024). "Why Xbox customers are right to be angry about Microsoft putting more 'exclusive' games on Nintendo or PlayStation". Windows Central. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  192. ^ Daniels, Zack (February 5, 2024). "Xbox Games Might Be Going Multiplatform, But Why?". Medium. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  193. ^ Barker, Sammy (August 31, 2024). "Failing Manufacturers Are Pushing the Narrative That Consoles Are Dying, Says Ex-Xbox Exec". Push Square. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  194. ^ "Indiana Jones and the Great Circle reveal shows globe-trotting escapades, spiders and a Game Pass promise". Eurogamer.net. January 18, 2024. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  195. ^ Warren, Tom (June 22, 2023). "Bethesda's Indiana Jones game is exclusive to Xbox and PC". The Verge. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  196. ^ Kerry, Ben (August 21, 2024). "Reaction: Indiana Jones And The Great Circle's PS5 Announcement Marks A Bold Step For Xbox". Pure Xbox. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  197. ^ Fahey, Rob (August 23, 2024). "Xbox wades cautiously into a multiplatform future | Opinion". GamesIndustry.biz. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  198. ^ Corden, Jez (August 21, 2024). "Phil Spencer: "We have more Xbox console players than ever," as fans question Microsoft's multi-platform strategy". Windows Central. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  199. ^ Obedkov, Evgeny (October 20, 2023). "40 studios to rule them all: inside Microsoft Gaming divisions post-Activision Blizzard deal". Game World Observer. Archived from the original on November 21, 2023. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  200. ^ Colp, Tyler (January 18, 2022). "Every game and studio Microsoft now owns". PC Gamer. Archived from the original on November 14, 2023. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  201. ^ Exclusive: Sarah Bond Talks What's Coming Up For Xbox in 2023, March 31, 2023, archived from the original on December 4, 2023, retrieved November 19, 2023
  202. ^ Corden, Jez (July 1, 2016). "Oh, Canada: The best video game companies to know about". Windows Central. Archived from the original on November 21, 2023. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Microsoft_Gaming&oldid=1257465884"