Publisher Update
8 storiesEvidence for regional publishing arm, release portfolio mix and label hierarchy may come from release notes, technical material, observed play or developer statements. The practical value becomes clearer when first-party ownership is considered beside workforce dependency. Publisher Update remains the main subject only when that question outweighs the neighbouring topics grouped under Studios, Publishers & Business.
Xbox Puts Its Franchises on a New XP Track
Xbox launched XP on October 8, 2026, with Kayleen Walters as president. Maria Angelidou-Smith is set to become CEO of Mojang and Minecraft on October 19.
Tony Driscoll Takes Over Skydance Games After Merger
Tony Driscoll will lead Skydance's combined gaming division after Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery completed their merger on October 6, 2026. The deal brought their teams and major IP under one company, with a transaction value of approximately $78 billion and an enterprise value of $110.9 billion including WBD obligations.
Kojima Says PHYSINT Will Break From Metal Gear
Hideo Kojima says PHYSINT will take a different path from Metal Gear after Xbox replaced Sony as publisher. Casting and performance-capture work are still underway, and no release window has been announced.
Xbox Layoffs Near 3,200 as Nadella Calls Restructuring 'Great to See'
Microsoft has announced 268 more Xbox job cuts as Satya Nadella backs the division's restructuring. The plan targets a return to growth even as the company moves toward cutting 3,200 employees.
Compulsion Games Now Publishing South of Midnight on Steam After Xbox Split
Compulsion Games has taken over publishing duties for South of Midnight on Steam, marking a clear separation from Xbox Game Studios following the recent restructuring and layoffs at Xbox
Devolver Digital to Delist from AIM and Return to Private Ownership
Devolver Digital has announced plans to delist from the AIM market and become a private company again, citing shareholder pressures and the realities of game development as key reasons for the move
Xbox Targets 500 Million Daily Players by 2030 Amid Restructuring
Xbox boss Asha Sharma has set a new milestone for Microsoft's gaming division, aiming to reach 500 million daily players by 2030 as part of a wider strategy to recover from recent financial setbacks and major staff cuts
Bethesda reveals Fallout 5 pre-production and Fallout 3 remasters
Bethesda has outlined its upcoming plans for the Fallout and The Elder Scrolls series, confirming Fallout 5 is in pre-production, remasters of Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas are underway, and a major Fallout 76 expansion is coming