World's Edge Project Scrapped During Reorganization Under Activision
A former senior software engineer at World's Edge said the studio's next project was cancelled as part of a reorganization that moved the team under Activision, with a large portion of staff laid off. Speculation suggests the cancelled title could have been Age of Empires 5, though Xbox has not confirmed any specific project. The studio's former creative director expressed disappointment but noted there were plans for the future.
The reorganization at World's Edge, which shifted the studio under Activision's umbrella, resulted in the cancellation of its next project and significant staff reductions. A former senior software engineer's departure note confirmed the cancellation and layoffs, while Xbox has not officially identified the project. Speculation from sister site Push Square points to a potential Age of Empires 5, though the project may have been in early development or could have been additional content for existing titles.
Former creative director Adam Isgreen acknowledged the disappointment for himself and affected teammates, but noted that "great plans for what's next" existed. Reports suggest roughly half the team was let go. The studio's future operations will now fall under Activision, leaving the fate of any remaining Age of Empires initiatives uncertain.
The cancellation and layoffs at World's Edge could affect the Age of Empires community, which may see fewer new entries or expansions in the near term. For the affected developers, the job losses add to industry-wide instability, potentially discouraging talent. Fans may also face uncertainty about the franchise's creative direction under Activision, though the remaining team's plans could still yield future content.