{
  "id": 9197996,
  "title": "Xbox lays off 268 more people as Activision takes over Halo and Bethesda absorbs Obsidian",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/xbox-lays-off-268-more-people-as-activision-takes-over-halo-and",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-09-22T21:01:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "TechSpot",
    "slug": "techspot",
    "url": "https://www.techspot.com/news/113945-xbox-lays-off-268-more-people-activision-takes.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Microsoft announced additional layoffs across its studios and management, totaling 268 more job cuts, bringing the total number of reductions to 1,600 since July 2023. These redundancies are part of the company's ongoing restructuring efforts aimed at cost-cutting and streamlining operations. The latest round of layoffs focuses on several first-party developers and Xbox Game Studios, with a particular emphasis on the Halo franchise. Activision, the maker of Call of Duty, is taking over development of the upcoming Halo title, while Halo Studios will concentrate on existing games like Halo: Campaign Evolved and Halo: The Master Chief Collection. Obsidian Entertainment, known for its RPGs, will continue its current projects under Bethesda, including a new Fallout title and Grounded 2. Meanwhile, Xbox's most anticipated game, The Elder Scrolls VI, is expected to launch within the next two years. The layoffs come as Microsoft continues to restructure its gaming portfolio, with the fate of studio Ninja Theory hanging in the balance and Arkane Lyon (Deathloop, Blade) still being sought by a potential buyer.",
  "summary": "Microsoft has cut another 268 jobs across Halo Studios, other first-party developers, and Xbox Game Studios management. The redundancies, announced by Matt Booty, Xbox's Chief Content Officer, are presumably part of the 1,600 set to occur through July 2027. Read Entire Article",
  "key_points": [
    "Microsoft announces 268 more layoffs, totaling 1,600 since July 2023",
    "Activision takes over Halo development, Obsidian joins Bethesda for RPGs",
    "Xbox's The Elder Scrolls VI set to launch in 2 years"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Rock Paper Shotgun",
        "title": "\"Good luck today, Halo friends\": After years of rivalry, Call of Duty's creators have taken charge of Xbox's defining FPS series amid yet more layoffs",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/good-luck-today-halo-friends-after-years-of-rivalry-call-of-dutys",
        "published": "2026-09-22T15:18:58.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}