Friday, October 31, 2014

Xbox Entertainment Coming to an End

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by Courtney Tuchman

Microsoft announced that it will terminate Xbox Entertainment Studios, the division that produces original Xbox programming. The announcement was made after Microsoft also revealed that it will be laying off up to 18,000 of its employees.

According to a statement Microsoft made to GameSpot, the company plans to “streamline a handful of portfolio and engineering development efforts across Xbox.” XES will also be shut down within the next month. An earlier report claimed that Xbox marketing employees would also be let go, but the rumor has yet to be confirmed.

Thought to originally be remaining, President Nancy Tellem and vice president Jordan Levin of XES were also let go.

"Xbox Entertainment Studios has officially closed. Nancy and Jordan were key members and visionaries for the XES team, and we thank them for their leadership and many contributions," Microsoft said in a statement to GameIndustry.biz.

Tellem originally joined Microsoft in 2012, abandoning her position as a CBS executive, to help with original programming. Tellem had only reported in April that XES was still “in the early stages.”

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella had only reported within the last week his support for XES, but his statement had no mentions of any new original programming coming out soon. The programming that had been scheduled was going to have interactive content while keeping the “gamer-first” approach intact. The details of the interactivity were never explained.

Previously, XES has experienced difficulty in programming new content. Players were unsure of how the shows would be released, and if it would only be available for Xbox Live Gold members.

Other shows that had been planned for release include JASH, a comedy troupe of celebrities, and Every Street United, a soccer reality series.
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Source: GameSpot
Image: GameSpot