Xbox has become a shell of its former self, weighed down by job cuts and studio closures, as it focuses on franchises like Halo and reaching "a billion people" (Andrew Webster/The Verge)

Microsoft's Xbox division has transformed into a shadow of its former glory, as job cuts and studio closures weigh heavily on the once-proud brand. The gaming giant is now fixated on franchises like Halo and reaching an ambitious goal of serving over a billion people daily. In the wake of these changes, Xbox has become a mere skeleton of its former self, its once-prominent role as a leading console and game developer now overshadowed by its focus on established hits and strategic reorganizations.

The company's recent "reset" has seen over 3,200 employees let go, with more layoffs scheduled in the coming fiscal year. Studios that were once integral to Xbox's success have been either consolidated or closed, with Halo Studios shifting to a new developer under Activision. Rare, responsible for Sea of Thieves, and World's Edge, behind Age of Empires, have also joined Activision, while Obsidian moves to Bethesda to focus on the Fallout franchise.

The merger of Playground and Turn 10, the creators of Fable and Forza, leaves Xbox with a dwindling list of studios to rely on.

One thing remains constant for Xbox: the pursuit of its most iconic franchises. Halo's new developer has pledged to create the greatest game possible while staying true to the franchise's legacy. The ambitious goal of reaching a billion users daily, however, seems increasingly unattainable given the scale of layoffs and restructurings. Xbox's future now appears to hang in the balance, with the brand's identity and relevance hanging in the balance amidst a landscape of uncertainty and change.