Xbox cuts 268 roles and hands the next Halo game to Activision

In a September 22, 2026, memo published by Xbox Wire, Xbox’s Matt Booty announced 268 job cuts across Halo Studios, other first-party studios, and Xbox Game Studios management and central functions. He said Activision will develop the next Halo with a new team separate from Call of Duty. The memo also outlines moves for Rare and World’s Edge under Activision, and Obsidian under Bethesda, where it will continue its current projects. Separately, the BBC, citing Booty, reports that Ninja Theory will enter employee consultation on a proposed closure after two sale agreements fell through, though potential buyout talks continue.