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Age of Empires Studio Lost Almost Half the Studio and Had Its Next Project Canned, Before Being Handed Over to Activision
Yesterday, Xbox moved Age of Empires studio World's Edge under Activision control as part of a significant organizational restructuring affecting multiple gaming divisions.
The realignment impacted multiple studios, triggering the impending closure of Ninja Theory and Halo Studios while moving Rare under Activision and merging Playground and Turn10.
Former creative director Adam Isgreen revealed that World's Edge lost nearly half its staff during the transition, confirming his own departure from the team.
Isgreen spent over 16 years at Microsoft working on projects including Minecraft and Xbox Live Arcade before his recent departure alongside the studio cuts.
Reflecting on the studio's work, Isgreen wrote, "I think the fans would agree that we delivered the goods for all of 'em," hoping the team that remains can rise to the occasion.
Microsoft amputates half World's Edge, the home studio of Age of Empires, and cancels a major franchise-related project. The rest of the team passes under Activision.