Microsoft Restructures Age of Empires Studio Amid Layoffs
World's Edge faces significant cuts as it moves under Activision.
1Massive Layoffs at World's Edge
Microsoft's World's Edge studio, responsible for the Age of Empires franchise, has lost nearly half its staff in recent layoffs. These cuts are part of a broader reduction of 268 jobs across Microsoft's Xbox division. The layoffs coincide with the studio's reorganization under Activision, raising questions about its future role and the direction of the Age of Empires series.
2Project Cancellation
As part of the restructuring, World's Edge's next project was canceled. This decision has left many employees uncertain about the studio's future. Former senior software engineer Andrew Martz confirmed the cancellation in a LinkedIn post, highlighting the abrupt nature of the changes and their impact on the team.
3Role of World's Edge
World's Edge has traditionally overseen the Age of Empires brand, collaborating with external developers on new releases, expansions, and ports. This setup allowed Microsoft to manage multiple games in the series simultaneously, including remasters and new console releases. The studio's reduced staff could complicate these efforts.
4Impact on Employees
Many long-time employees were affected by the layoffs, including former studio creative director Adam Isgreen, who spent 16 years working on Age of Empires. Isgreen expressed disappointment over the abrupt end to his tenure and the impact on his talented teammates, who had ambitious plans for the franchise's future.
5Franchise Expansion
The Age of Empires series has expanded beyond its original PC audience, incorporating online multiplayer, regular updates, and console controls. Modern releases must balance these new features with the core gameplay elements that define the series: resource gathering, base building, and large-scale unit control.
6Recent Content Releases
Despite the layoffs, new content for Age of Empires continues to arrive. The latest expansion, Viking Sagas for Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition, adds three civilizations and 15 single-player campaign scenarios. This ongoing content release contrasts with the uncertainty surrounding World's Edge's future.
7Employee Reactions
Former lead principal software engineer Greg Snook shared his experience of being laid off while on vacation. Snook's departure coincided with his 25-year anniversary at Microsoft, adding a personal dimension to the broader organizational changes affecting the studio.
8Uncertain Future
The fate of World's Edge under Activision remains unclear. While the studio retains a major franchise, the layoffs and project cancellation suggest a significant shift in its role within Microsoft's gaming organization. The remaining team faces the challenge of maintaining the series' legacy with reduced resources.
Original article: TechSpot — Microsoft Restructures Age of Empires Studio Amid Layoffs