“For the first time, we are establishing a Chief Operating Officer with end-to-end P&L responsibility across content, hardware, platform, and services,” Sharma noted at the time of Chiang’s promotion.
The reasons behind Chiang’s brief tenure as COO remain unclear, yet her departure is notable given her extensive history with the company. Xbox is undergoing significant changes, including anticipated layoffs affecting 3,200 employees this year. This restructuring has already led to the divestment of several studios, although some, like Double Fine, have managed to stabilize.
Meanwhile, other studios face uncertainty. Arkane Lyon, currently working on Marvel’s Blade, risks closure by mid-November unless a buyer emerges. The studio’s future hangs in the balance due to Microsoft’s reshuffling, leaving fans anxious about the project’s fate.
The turbulence is not limited to Xbox. EA recently announced the shutdown of BioWare, a venerable RPG developer, canceling the next Mass Effect game and causing an uproar among fans. Despite a leaked trailer showcasing the game’s potential, the chances of EA selling BioWare’s intellectual properties appear slim, according to industry analysts.
“Others, however, remain in limbo; Arkane Lyon, the studio that’s currently working on Marvel’s Blade, faces closure as soon as mid-November if a buyer isn’t found,”
Virginia, IGN’s News Editor, has been covering gaming and entertainment for over a decade. Her expertise spans the fighting game community, influencer news, and viral trends. You can follow her insights on Twitter at @TheeMissGlaze.
Article Source: www.ign.com
