# Activision to lead next Halo game amid sweeping Xbox reorganisation

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/activision-is-taking-over-halo-as-part-of-a-massive-xbox-shake-up/
- Published: 2026-09-22T18:38:58+00:00
- Updated: 2026-09-23T01:30:24+00:00
- Original publisher: The Verge
- Original article: https://www.theverge.com/news/998586/activision-halo-xbox-reorganization-layoffs
- Topics: Art, Culture, Entertainment, Gaming

## Key points

- Activision will develop the next flagship Halo game.
- Xbox is cutting 268 more roles.
- Several studios and major franchises are being reorganised.

## Summary

Microsoft is restructuring Xbox’s first-party studios, transferring several major franchises between teams and cutting 268 roles. Activision will take over development of the next flagship Halo game, while Halo Studios retains a smaller team supporting existing titles; the changes mark a major shift in the franchise’s direction and may include the closure of Ninja Theory.

Activision will also assume control of Sea of Thieves and Age of Empires, with Rare and World’s Edge affected by the reorganisation. Obsidian is moving to Bethesda to work on a new Fallout project, Turn 10 and Playground Games are merging around Forza Horizon and Fable, and Microsoft’s casual games unit is moving to King. The latest cuts bring Xbox’s total announced reductions this year to nearly 1,900 of 3,200 planned by June 2027.

## Coverage

- [The Verge: Activision to lead next Halo game amid sweeping Xbox reorganisation](https://www.theverge.com/news/998586/activision-halo-xbox-reorganization-layoffs)
- [BBC Technology: Call of Duty's Activision to make next Halo game as Xbox cuts more jobs](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvj64gz74ky4o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss)
- [Rock Paper Shotgun: Xbox lay off 268 people as Activision take over Halo and Rare, while Obsidian become part of Bethesda, plus Forza and Fable studios merge](https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/xbox-lay-off-268-people-as-activision-take-over-halo-and-rare-while-obsidian-become-part-of-bethesda-plus-forza-and-fable-studios-merge)
- [IGN: CONFIRMED: Microsoft Hands Halo to Call of Duty Developer Activision as Part of Seismic Xbox Studios Shakeup](https://www.ign.com/articles/confirmed-microsoft-hands-halo-to-call-of-duty-developer-activision-as-part-of-huge-xbox-studios-shakeup)
- [GamesRadar+: Halo Studios didn't get to launch even one original title before Xbox decided to let Activision try](https://www.gamesradar.com/games/halo/halo-studios-didnt-have-the-chance-to-launch-even-one-original-title-before-xbox-decided-to-let-call-of-duty-publisher-activision-try-instead/)

---
Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.