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After split with Xbox, Hitman developer IO will "continue to develop" Project Fantasy independently, but they're closing their Istanbul Studio
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After split with Xbox, Hitman developer IO will "continue to develop" Project Fantasy independently, but they're closing their Istanbul Studio

Last week brought the news that Xbox had dropped their support for Project Fantasy the, er, fantasy project in development at IO Interactive. The Hitman maker announced they would remain "100% committed" to the game, and ensure "This wonderful universe will see the light of day", but they also acknowledged that there would need to be layoffs. IOI have now confirmed that they have been able to regain full ownership of Project Fantasy and they will "continue to develop and fund it independently".

"I know how devastating it is, and my heart's with all of you": Doom's John Romero responds to id Software reportedly losing half their team
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"I know how devastating it is, and my heart's with all of you": Doom's John Romero responds to id Software reportedly losing half their team

Xbox aren't closing or selling off Doom developers id Software as part of their latest business teardown, but they are reportedly laying off around half the studio, with swinging cuts aimed at id's legendary technology team in particular. Even as out-going staff fulminate about the situation, studio co-founder John Romero has urged all concerned to preserve "code, assets, stories" and other historical artefacts that risk being wiped away during the restructure. Read more

While several Xbox studios regained independence or found new owners yesterday, Arkane's staff must negotiate their own future
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While several Xbox studios regained independence or found new owners yesterday, Arkane's staff must negotiate their own future

Yesterday, Xbox announced that they were spinning off five major studios in the course of the latest round of "historic" restructuring, with 1600 jobs instantly chopped and 1600 more layoffs to follow over the next financial year. It's the latest in a string of failures on the part of Xbox leadership, who have repeatedly butchered the division after an evidently overambitious acquisition spree that dates back to the 2010s. It has, at least, not yet resulted in any outright studio closures. Doub