Activision is taking over Halo as part of a massive Xbox shake-up

Microsoft is announcing a massive restructuring of its Xbox studios today, months after laying off 1,600 Xbox employees and selling off studios. The latest changes will see Activision take on the Halo and Sea of Thieves franchises, as well as Age of Empires. Microsoft is also laying off around 268 Xbox employees as part of this restructuring, and likely closing Ninja Theory. Halo Studios will be significantly impacted by today’s changes and layoffs. The studio will continue to support existing titles like Halo Infinite and Halo: Campaign Evolved, but the next flagship installment in the Halo franchise will come from Activision instead. “Activision will also be developing the next Halo title, led by a new, purpose-built team that is separate from ongoing development and plans for Call of Duty,” says Xbox chief content officer Matt Booty in an internal…