World's Edge loses nearly half its staff in post-transfer cuts
World's Edge, the studio behind Age of Empires, has laid off nearly half its workforce following its transfer to Activision. Former creative director Adam Isgreen confirmed the cuts, expressing disappointment over the loss of talented team members. The layoffs are part of Xbox's broader restructuring that eliminated 268 positions across multiple studios.
The cuts at World's Edge follow a broader consolidation within Microsoft's gaming division. The studio's transfer to Activision coincided with a company-wide restructuring that eliminated 268 positions across Halo Studios, other first-party developers, and Xbox Game Studios. Adam Isgreen, who served 16 years at Microsoft, was among those let go.
Beyond World's Edge, the restructuring led to the closure of Ninja Theory and the independence of Undead Labs. Isgreen noted that the team had ambitious plans for the franchise's future, expressing hope that remaining staff could execute them. The scale of the cuts highlights a significant shift in how Microsoft is organizing its game development resources.
These layoffs could ripple through the gaming industry, affecting not only the hundreds of displaced developers but also the creative pipeline of beloved franchises like Age of Empires. The loss of experienced staff may lead to project delays, reduced innovation, or a shift in game design priorities. For players, this could mean fewer new titles or a homogenization of content as studios consolidate under larger publishers. The broader societal impact includes financial instability for affected families and a potential chilling effect on talent entering the industry, as job security becomes a growing concern.