Xbox has 40+ projects in active development, with all games showcased at Xbox Summer Showcase continuing production despite Microsoft’s mass layoffs. This reassurance comes amid industry-wide concerns about project cancellations and studio closures.
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Xbox Summer Showcase Games Protected
According to reports, everything shown at Xbox’s Summer Showcase is “continuing on,” providing relief to fans worried about their favorite upcoming titles. Xbox Game Studios head Matt Booty confirmed the extensive development pipeline remains intact.
| Protected Projects | Status |
|---|---|
| Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 | Continuing development |
| Grounded 2 | Safe from cuts |
| Indiana Jones DLC | The Order of Giants proceeding |
| Gears of War: Reloaded | Active development |
| Clockwork Revolution | Production ongoing |
Microsoft Layoffs Impact Gaming Division
The mass layoffs at Microsoft today are across the whole company, not just the gaming division, but gaming studios haven’t been spared entirely. However, Xbox’s major showcase titles received protection from cancellation.
Project Cancellations Confirmed
Not all Xbox projects survived the cuts. Perfect Dark and Everwild have been cancelled, with The Initiative studio shutting down. These cancellations highlight the selective nature of Microsoft‘s gaming strategy.
Cancelled Projects:
- Perfect Dark (The Initiative closed)
- Everwild (Rare affected)
Studio-Level Impact Unclear
While projects themselves are safe, individual studios working on those games may have suffered layoffs. The exact scope of gaming division cuts remains unclear, with unconfirmed reports suggesting significant staff reductions.
Turn10 Studios, developers of Forza Motorsport, reportedly lost 50% of its staff, though this remains unconfirmed. Such reports underscore the uncertainty facing Xbox development teams.
Xbox’s Development Strategy
The 40+ projects confirmation demonstrates Xbox’s commitment to maintaining a robust content pipeline despite corporate restructuring. This approach prioritizes established franchises and high-profile showcases over experimental titles.
Microsoft’s selective protection of Summer Showcase games suggests a focus on commercially viable projects with strong market appeal.
Industry-Wide Gaming Layoffs
These layoffs reflect broader gaming industry challenges, with major publishers streamlining operations amid economic pressures. Xbox’s approach balances cost-cutting with content delivery, protecting high-visibility projects while trimming less certain ventures.
What This Means for Gamers
Xbox fans can expect continued development of their most anticipated titles, including major franchises like Call of Duty and Gears of War. The protection of Summer Showcase games ensures Xbox’s 2025-2026 release schedule remains largely intact.
However, the cancellation of experimental projects like Perfect Dark and Everwild signals a shift toward safer, more commercially predictable game development strategies.
The gaming industry continues navigating economic challenges while maintaining ambitious development pipelines for core audiences.
FAQs
How many Xbox projects are currently in development?
Xbox has confirmed 40+ projects are currently in active development across their studios.
Which Xbox games were cancelled during the Microsoft layoffs?
Perfect Dark and Everwild were cancelled, with The Initiative studio shutting down completely.
