Xbox reportedly moves Halo under Activision in sweeping studio reshuffle

Halo changes hands as studios are consolidated

According to Ars Technica, Microsoft announced that Activision will oversee Halo, while Halo Studios will remain as a small player-support team and other roles will be eliminated in 268 newly announced layoffs. The report says Activision will also take control of Rare and World’s Edge; Obsidian will become part of Bethesda; Microsoft Casual Games will report to King; and Playground Games and Turn 10 will merge. Xbox is also reportedly seeking buyers for Ninja Theory and Arkane Studios.

Before this reported restructuring, Halo Studios was responsible for the Halo franchise, while Xbox CEO Asha Sharma had described teams, studios, and functions within the gaming unit as often operating independently.

Halo is reportedly being placed under Activision, while Obsidian is set to join Bethesda and several other Xbox teams are being consolidated or reassigned. The reported changes also include 268 additional layoffs.

The reported reshuffle would move some of Xbox’s best-known franchises and studios into different internal organizations while reducing the number of separate business units. It also combines organizational changes with further job reductions during Xbox’s stated restructuring.