In an interview with The New York Times, Xbox CEO Asha Sharma stated plainly that 'Xbox is not for sale,' adding that Microsoft will pursue whatever partnerships or operating model changes are needed for long-term success. The comments follow a summer of heavy layoffs across Xbox, including the closure of Ninja Theory, the divestment of Double Fine, and the shutdown of Halo Studios with the franchise handed to Call of Duty's team.
games.slashdot.org
· 2026-09-30
Minisforum has begun selling the MS-S1 MAX-P495, a compact workstation powered by AMD's Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 495 chip, one of the first systems available with this processor. The US configuration includes 192GB of LPDDR5X-8533 unified memory, a 2TB SSD, dual 10GbE networking, and USB4 ports, priced at $7,399.
techspot.com
· 2026-09-29
GMKtec has launched the Evo-X5 Pro, an AI-focused mini-PC built around AMD's top-tier Ryzen AI Max+ Pro 495 chip paired with 192GB of LPDDR5X-8533 memory. The 2TB SSD configuration costs $6,799, while the 4TB version reaches $7,099, with the chip's three power profiles ranging from 54W to 160W peak.
tomshardware.com
· 2026-09-28
GMKtec has released the Evo-X3, a redesigned mini PC built around AMD's Ryzen AI Max+ 395 processor, now shipping with 128GB of LPDDR5X-8000 memory as standard. The unit adopts an almost entirely metal CNC-machined chassis in place of its predecessor's plastic-and-aluminum build. Tom's Hardware tested a 128GB/2TB configuration priced at $3,799.99, roughly double what the earlier Evo-X2 cost six months prior.
tomshardware.com
· 2026-09-24
Microsoft laid off 268 employees across its gaming division this week and restructured major studios and franchises, including cutting most of Halo Studios' staff while keeping a small team to support existing titles like Halo Infinite. According to sources cited by the reporter, the next mainline Halo game was years from release, prompting Microsoft to shut it down rather than continue development.
theverge.com
· 2026-09-24
Microsoft told Team Xbox staff in a memo called 'Continuing Our Reset' that it is eliminating 268 positions across Halo Studios and other first-party studios, and forming a new team distinct from Call of Duty to develop the next Halo title under Activision. A smaller group at Halo Studios will remain to support existing games and the current community, ending its sole stewardship of the franchise since 2010.
cnet.com
· 2026-09-22
Xbox has laid off 268 employees across Halo Studios, other first-party teams and Xbox Game Studios management, part of a previously announced plan to cut 1,600 jobs through July 2027. As part of the restructuring, Activision will take over development of the next Halo game and also manage Rare and World's Edge, while Obsidian continues working under Bethesda on Fallout and Grounded 2, and Playground and Turn 10 merge to handle Forza and Fable together.
techspot.com
· 2026-09-22
Microsoft has restructured its Xbox game studios, placing Halo Studios (formerly 343 Industries), Rare and Age of Empires developer World's Edge under Activision's control. The move accompanies 268 additional layoffs, with the remaining Halo team reduced to a small community-support unit while Activision assembles a new team to lead the franchise's future.
arstechnica.com
· 2026-09-22
Microsoft is cutting 268 more jobs across Xbox as part of the restructuring it began in July, with Halo Studios, first-party developers and central Xbox Game Studios functions most affected. A newly formed team under Activision will develop the next Halo title, while Rare and World's Edge also move under Activision's oversight, and Obsidian shifts to Bethesda. Compulsion Games, Double Fine and Undead Labs have been spun off as independent studios with funding and IP rights intact.
engadget.com
· 2026-09-22
Microsoft's Xbox division is transferring future Halo game development to Call of Duty publisher Activision, part of a fresh round of 268 layoffs. The move follows Ninja Theory's failed sale talks, with the Hellblade studio now facing a proposed closure after two potential buyers walked away. Xbox says it is three-quarters through a restructuring plan that has already eliminated 1,600 jobs immediately, with 3,600 total cuts planned.
bbc.co.uk
· 2026-09-22
Microsoft announced further restructuring at Xbox as part of cuts affecting roughly 3,200 employees, consolidating several studios and shifting development of Halo to a different team. Obsidian is moving from Xbox Game Studios to Bethesda to focus on Fallout, Microsoft's casual games like Minesweeper and Solitaire are shifting to King, and Playground and Turn 10 are merging into a single studio.
theverge.com
· 2026-09-22
Microsoft is laying off roughly 268 employees across Halo Studios, other first-party teams, and Xbox Game Studios' central functions, according to a memo from chief content officer Matt Booty. Two prospective buyers for Ninja Theory fell through, so Microsoft is starting a consultation process on potentially shutting the Hellblade studio unless another buyer emerges. Undead Labs has completed its spinout to independence, while talks over Arkane's future continue under French labor law through year's end.
theverge.com
· 2026-09-22
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