The Age of Empires studio World’s Edge reportedly lost nearly half of its staff during yesterday’s sweeping Xbox restructuring that moved the developer under Activision’s control. The layoffs, which include former creative director Adam Isgreen, mark another significant human toll within Microsoft’s ongoing consolidation of its first-party studios as part of a broader realignment with publisher Activision.
New information has emerged suggesting many members of the team have been let go during the transition, even though the initial announcement did not specify whether the Age of Empires studio would lose any staff. According to Isgreen, who spent over 16 years at Microsoft in various positions, World’s Edge was “not spared completely” by the changes.
A Developer Reflects on a Long Journey
Isgreen revealed the scale of the layoffs in a post on the Resetera forums, where he wrote under the verified username Tempus Chaoti: “What a morning. FYI World’s Edge was not spared completely – just under half the studio was let go – myself included. Been fun, y’all!”
In a follow-up post on LinkedIn, Isgreen listed a number of projects he was part of over his lengthy career at Microsoft, including Windows Phone, Xbox Live Arcade, and games such as Ori, Minecraft, Trials HD, State of Decay, Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet, World of Tanks, and “many, many more”.
“I didn’t think I’d be working on RTS games again years after their first ‘heyday’, but am I ever proud of what our studio team and partners were able to do with the series and juice the genre’s return. I think the fans would agree (mostly!) that we delivered the goods for all of ’em.”
Adam Isgreen, former creative director at World’s Edge
Isgreen also apparently helped publish games such as Recore, Killer Instinct, Fable, Crackdown, and of course the Age of Empires franchises “and all the great games and expansions we released throughout the years”. His departure follows a career that spanned much of Microsoft’s gaming history.
The Broader Xbox Reshuffle
Yesterday’s Xbox cuts resulted in the impending closure of Ninja Theory, the Halo franchise moving to Activision with Halo Studios all-but closing because of it, Playground and Turn10 merging, Obsidian moving under Bethesda’s control, and Rare moving under Activision’s control as well. The restructuring represents one of the most significant reorganizations in Microsoft’s gaming division in recent years.
“I am of course disappointed that this is the way the time with World’s Edge and Age of Empires ends for myself and many of my talented teammates that were also impacted. We had some great plans for what’s next – and I hope the team that remains can rise to the occasion down the line.”
Adam Isgreen, former creative director at World’s Edge
Isgreen expressed disappointment about how his tenure concluded while offering encouragement to those remaining with the studio. His comments underscore the personal impact behind the corporate restructuring that has captivated the gaming community.
Looking Ahead
Many questions remain about the full impact of these transitions and whether they will work out as intended for both Microsoft and its studios. The Age of Empires franchise, which received recent entries developed by World’s Edge alongside external partners, now faces an uncertain future under Activision’s umbrella.
Our thoughts are with everyone affected by the layoffs, including Isgreen and his teammates who were impacted during this period of major change across Xbox gaming.
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