eurogamer.net
Sep 23, 2026
Age of Empires studio World’s Edge reportedly lost “nearly half” of its staff during yesterday’s Xbox cuts and move to Activision
AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication
Xbox’s recent restructuring moved Age of Empires studio World's Edge under Activision, triggering significant layoffs. Former creative director Adam Isgreen confirmed that nearly half of the studio’s staff, including himself, were let go. Isgreen highlighted the studio’s legacy, citing projects such as Ori, Minecraft, and the Age of Empires series. The cuts also affected other studios, including Ninja Theory and Rare, as Microsoft’s portfolio realigns. The transition leaves many questions about future projects and the studio’s direction.
💡 Why It Matters
- · The loss of key talent threatens the continuity of a flagship franchise, potentially reshaping the RTS landscape.
- · The shift signals a broader industry trend toward consolidation, raising concerns about creative autonomy and long‑term innovation.
