At their E3 2018 briefing, Microsoft revealed that amongst others, Ninja Theory is being absorbed into Microsoft Studios. If anyone played Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice, this is massive news for Xbox’s current lineup.
Along with Ninja Theory, Microsoft has also brought onboard Playground Games — best known for Forza Horizon racing simulator series (which is getting a fourth installment, as announced at the same conference); Compulsion Games, a Canadian developer known for We Happy Few and Constrast; Undead Labs, a Seattle-based publisher founded by former Blizzard employee Jeff Strain.
At #XboxE3 @XboxP3 has just announced that the expansion of the Microsoft first party family pic.twitter.com/LRUHrOi0JI
— Larry Hryb (@majornelson) June 10, 2018
The company also announced a new developer called The Initiative, a Santa Clara-based developer which will be led by Darrell Gallagher, former head of Crystal Dynamics
These are absolutely huge pick-ups for Microsoft, showing they took their “no games, no exclusives” criticism to heart. With these massive acquisitions, Xbox looks poised to compete with Playstation head-on in terms of exclusive games.
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