Xbox has exited a deal to fund and publish IO Interactive’s online fantasy RPG, codenamed Project Fantasy, a move that may lead to job losses.<\/p>\n
IO Interactive stated<\/a> it must “adapt to this new reality and its short-term consequences, including staff decisions.”<\/p>\n The developer added it will “support those affected through this challenging transition,” and clarified it was “100% committed” to Project Fantasy and that the game “will see the light of day.”<\/p>\n Speaking to Bloomberg<\/a>, an Xbox spokesperson clarified the firm is “taking a fresh look at where we invest so we’re focusing on our highest priorities” and is “not reducing our overall investment in games.”<\/p>\n “We expect to invest about the same in content as last year. What’s changing is where we’re investing and the kinds of projects we’re backing.”<\/p>\n This decision coincides with a significant round of job cuts at Xbox<\/a> expected to begin next week.<\/p>\n According to The Verge<\/a>, further studio closures may occur, including Blade developer Arkane Studios Lyon.<\/p>\n Sources indicate Microsoft is “exploring options to sell” the developer, as was reportedly the case with Compulsion Games, Double Fine, and Ninja Theory<\/a>.<\/p>\n Last month, Xbox CEO Asha Sharma said the firm needed to “reassess [its] investment priorities for the next five years<\/a>,” warning that it had “become too reliant on vendors to operate our systems and must become more self-reliant as an engineering culture to build for the future.”<\/p>\n