Microsoft Rebrands 13 Core Developers as Xbox Game Studios

Today, Microsoft announced that it's rebranding Microsoft Studios to Xbox Game Studios to better reflect its new goal and beefed up roster of studios. Xbox Game Studios is promising new exclusives, original IP, and sequels to popular franchises developed by its group of 13 studios.

Microsoft went on a bit of a spending spree last year, announcing acquisitions for studios like Compulsion Games, Ninja Theory, Undead Labs, and Playground Games at E3 2018. Those are the studios behind We Happy Few, Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice, State of Decay 2, and Forza Horizon 4. Microsoft also announced a new triple-A studio called The Initiative which has been hiring developers from other major studios like Sony Santa Monica and Rockstar Games.

Microsoft then announced acquisitions for inXile Entertainment and Obsidian Entertainment to join the roster alongside existing studios like 343 Industries, The Coalition, Rare, and Turn 10 Studios. In a press release, Xbox Game Studios vice president Matt Booty says the developers, "are working hard to deliver incredible exclusives, original IP and all-new chapters from your favorite franchises."

Booty highlighted 2019 exclusives like Crackdown 3, Gears of War 5, and Ori and the Will of the Wisps; along with major updates for Sea of Thieves, Minecraft, and Forza Horizon 4. So far, there's no specific mention of any new projects from Xbox's expanded studio roster. Perhaps we will see them at E3 or in 2020?