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Resetting Xbox

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Re: Resetting Xbox

#4
I think some of these game studios got so content with Microsoft constantly paying that they forgot to make games that would actually sell.

South of Midnight took 7 years to make and cost $100 million to make... yet sold hardly any copies and I'm not even sure who they were trying to make it for.

Meanwhile you have studios like Sandfall and Warhorse pumping out games on a fraction of the budget that ship millions (and imho, make better games).

Re: Resetting Xbox

#5
They will just continue smash thru exactly what is killing them because they do not know how to reset. More micro transactions, Halo 14-39, games launching before they're ready, price increases, etc. All of that looks good on paper, so they will take no action against. The XBOX is hitting icebergs, and instead of slowing down, they will just call for more speed.

Re: Resetting Xbox

#6

I think some of these game studios got so content with Microsoft constantly paying that they forgot to make games that would actually sell. South of Midnight took 7 years to make and cost $100 million to make... yet sold hardly any copies and I'm not even sure who they were trying to make it for. Meanwhile you have studios like Sandfall and Warhorse pumping out games on a fraction of the budget that ship millions (an…

Millions of people played South of Midnight even if sales didn't reflect it. Xbox Game Pass has done a lot to make Xbox sales figures hard to compare.

Re: Resetting Xbox

#7
Game Pass has caused a lot of direct sales losses to game developers in favor of Microsoft trying to find a Netflix-like cash cow for itself. The numbers never added up, but it is not a surprise everyone nodded and went along with it. I wonder what the career repercussions would be for speaking up - but it doesn’t matter because they are getting fired anyway.

Call of Duty alone lost $300 million: https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2026/04/microsofts-game-pass-...

I look forward to the source code leaks.

Re: Resetting Xbox

#8

I think some of these game studios got so content with Microsoft constantly paying that they forgot to make games that would actually sell. South of Midnight took 7 years to make and cost $100 million to make... yet sold hardly any copies and I'm not even sure who they were trying to make it for. Meanwhile you have studios like Sandfall and Warhorse pumping out games on a fraction of the budget that ship millions (an…

Millions of people played South of Midnight even if sales didn't reflect it. Xbox Game Pass has done a lot to make Xbox sales figures hard to compare.

How many people would have played if it wasn't on Game Pass though? I doubt many.

Expedition 33 was on game pass and still sold 8 million copies.

Re: Resetting Xbox

#9
Any details about the studio spin-outs? The rumors were that Double Fine etc. would be closed, but all we know now is that some of them are being sold to management and others are being sold to other investors. Nothing about any commensurate restructurings.

Re: Resetting Xbox

#10
post #9

Any details about the studio spin-outs? The rumors were that Double Fine etc. would be closed, but all we know now is that some of them are being sold to management and others are being sold to other investors. Nothing about any commensurate restructurings.

It's in the press release.

> Compulsion Games and Double Fine Productions will return to management and transition to independent studios with their IP, catalog, and runway for their next games. Ninja Theory and Undead Labs have entered terms to join new ownership with funding to complete and grow Senua and State of Decay 3. In France, Arkane’s management is beginning required consultation with its Works Council to review potential strategic options.

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