Nearly Half of World’s Edge Staff Laid Off Amid Xbox Restructuring
- World’s Edge, developer of Age of Empires, is now under Activision’s control following recent Xbox cuts.
- Former creative director Adam Isgreen reported that nearly half of the studio’s staff was laid off.
- The restructuring also resulted in significant changes to other studios, including Ninja Theory and Obsidian.
In a significant organizational shift, Xbox has transferred control of the Age of Empires studio, World’s Edge, under Activision’s leadership. The initial announcement regarding these changes did not indicate potential layoffs, but subsequent reports suggest a substantial reduction in staff.
Former creative director Adam Isgreen disclosed via Resetera forums that nearly half of World’s Edge employees were affected. Utilizing the verified username Tempus Chaoti, he expressed, “What a morning. FYI World’s Edge was not spared completely – just under half the studio was let go – myself included. Been fun, y’all!”
In a follow-up LinkedIn post, Isgreen reflected on his 16 years at Microsoft, during which he contributed to various projects including Windows Phone, Xbox Live Arcade, and titles such as Ori, Minecraft, and State of Decay.
Furthermore, he noted his role in publishing notable games like Recore and Killer Instinct, in addition to the Age of Empires franchise and its expansions. He remarked, “I didn’t think I’d be working on RTS games again years after their first ‘heyday’, but am I ever proud of what our studio team and partners were able to do with the series.”
Isgreen expressed disappointment regarding the layoffs, stating, “I am of course disappointed that this is the way the time with World’s Edge and Age [of Empires] ends for myself and many of my talented teammates that were also impacted.” He emphasized hopes for the remaining team to succeed in future projects.
These layoffs, part of Xbox’s restructuring, also entail the impending closure of Ninja Theory, the transfer of the Halo franchise to Activision, and the merging of Playground and Turn10. Obsidian has moved under Bethesda’s control, and Rare is now also aligned with Activision.
As the full impact of these transitions unfolds, there remain numerous questions regarding their long-term implications and effectiveness. The focus is on those affected by the layoffs during this turbulent period.
News Courtesy of Eurogamer
