{
  "id": 9345871,
  "title": "Age of Empires developer World's Edge hit with layoffs following move to Activision",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/23/age-of-empires-developer-worlds-edge-hit-with-layoffs-following-move",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-09-23T13:56:13.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "GamesIndustry",
    "slug": "gamesindustry",
    "url": "https://www.gamesindustry.biz/age-of-empires-developer-worlds-edge-hit-with-layoffs-following-move-to-activision"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The developer of the popular game Age of Empires, World's Edge, has been forced to lay off nearly half of its employees following its move to Activision, according to sources. Former creative director Adam Isgreen, who has worked for Microsoft for 16 years, announced the layoffs on Reset Era and LinkedIn. Isgreen expressed disappointment that the studio's end was marked by these cuts, stating that he and many talented teammates were impacted. World's Edge was among several studios affected by Xbox's ongoing restructuring, which also saw the transfer of Rare and the Halo franchise to Activision. Activision president Rob Kostich welcomed the studios to their company, emphasizing the honor and responsibility that comes with it. In total, 268 positions were eliminated across Halo Studios, other first-party developers, and Xbox Game Studios. Additionally, Ninja Theory is set to close, while Undead Labs has become an independent studio, though the company praised the talented developers who have contributed to the State of Decay franchise.",
  "summary": "Age of Empires studio World's Edge has been hit with layoffs following its transition to Activision, with \"just under half\" of employees affected. Read more",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Rock Paper Shotgun",
        "title": "Age of Empires studio World's Edge reportedly lose nearly half their staff and a new game project in mass Xbox layoffs",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/23/age-of-empires-studio-worlds-edge-reportedly-lose-nearly-half-their",
        "published": "2026-09-23T09:13:14.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}