Activision Developing New Halo Game as Xbox Confirms 3,600 Job Cuts

Microsoft's Xbox division has announced that Activision, the developer of the Call of Duty series, will take over the development of the forthcoming Halo game. This decision follows Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard for $69 billion in 2023.

Xbox Restructuring and Job Reductions

The move is part of a broader restructuring initiative within Xbox, first outlined in July, which will see a total of 3,600 job losses. These redundancies affect multiple teams, including those at Bethesda, ZeniMax, and Sledgehammer Games, as well as a significant portion of the team at 343 Industries, the previous developer of the Halo franchise.

Xbox management has indicated that the shift to an external developer for Halo aims to bring "fresh perspectives" to the long-running science fiction series. The restructuring also includes the closure of several smaller studios acquired during the Activision Blizzard merger.

This reorganisation underscores the ongoing commercial pressures within the gaming industry, as major corporations like Microsoft consolidate assets and streamline operations, frequently at the expense of employment figures and established creative teams.