We’re breaking up with Xbox. It’s not us, it’s you. More layoffs, closed (and practically closed) studios, shuffling of IP, and fawning executives that are trying to convince you that everything’s just ducky, when it’s really f… you get the point.

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TIME STAMPS

• [00:01:39] – PAX West / PAX Rising Recap
• [00:17:07] – Xbox Continues its Catastrophic Downfall
• [00:33:54] – Investment Interlude
• [00:41:58] – Quick Hits
• [00:47:14] – Labor Report
• [00:58:13] – Indie Game of the Episode

SOURCES

• Continuing Our Reset | Xbox
• Age of Empires studio World’s Edge reportedly lost “nearly half” of its staff during yesterday’s Xbox cuts and move to Activision | Eurogamer
• State Of Decay 3 Studio Lays Off A ‘Significant’ Number Of Developers But Says It Won’t Impact The Game | Kotaku
• Halo Studios Former Cinematic Director Promoted and Laid Off in Same Week | Josh Daniels
• Microsoft CEO says Xbox is simply ‘streamlining’ after cutting over 5,750 jobs in three years | Game Developer

INVESTMENT INTERLUDE

• Nexus Mods is acquiring database and analytics site SteamDB | Game Developer
• Trophy Games acquires Airport Simulator: First Class developer Playrion from Paradox Interactive | GamesIndustry
• Bohemia Interactive acquires minority stake in Everwind developer Enjoy Studio | Game Developer
• Nex Raises Over $150 Million to Take Nex Playground Business Global | Nex

LABOR REPORT

• The Studio Behind MindsEye Is Closing Following Latest Round Of Layoffs | Kotaku
• Sega-owned Rovio is shutting down its Copenhagen studio | Game Developer
• Report: FuturLab lays off devs without informing team leads or managers | Game Developer
• Life is Strange studio Don’t Nod says it may have to lay off 90 staff, warns it may not last beyond January | VGC
• French publisher Dear Villagers confirms layoffs | Game Developer
• Polyarc has closed | Polyarc on LinkedIn
• Layoffs at KO-OP | KO-OP on Bluesky
• Heart Machine Loses Publisher Funding | Alx Preston on LinkedIn
• After Years Of Company Stalling, Blizzard Workers Win Mega-Contract That Applies To All Unionized Teams | Aftermath