Did you hear the latest Xbox layoffs? Yesterday, Microsoft cut another 268 jobs, and the Age of Empires studio, World's Edge, was hit hard. Creative director Adam Isgreen announced he's out after 16 years at the company.
In a LinkedIn post, Isgreen said he's "of course disappointed" and that "just under half the studio was let go." He also mentioned they had "great plans for what's next" and hopes the remaining team can "rise to the occasion." The layoffs come as World's Edge and other Xbox franchises move under the Activision Blizzard banner, part of Xbox's massive "reset" that aims to eliminate 3,200 jobs this fiscal year.
Isgreen's career is legendary in RTS circles. He started at Westwood Studios in 1995, working on the original Command & Conquer: Red Alert. He then moved to Petroglyph for Star Wars: Empire at War before joining Microsoft in 2010. At Xbox, he served as creative director on diverse titles like Killer Instinct, Crimson Dragon, D4: Dark Dreams Don't Die, and ReCore. Eventually, he led the Age of Empires revival, overseeing remasters and 2021's Age of Empires 4.
"I never thought that I'd work at Microsoft, let alone spend a significant amount of my career here – 16 years! – especially in a creative-first role," Isgreen wrote. As for what's next, he's unsure: "No idea. Maybe games? Maybe not? Pinball machines? Always loved the combination of design + art + engineering they represent."
This is a tough blow for Age of Empires fans. World's Edge was the studio behind the franchise's recent resurgence, and losing nearly half its staff raises questions about future support and updates. Microsoft hasn't commented yet, but we'll update if we hear more.
What do you think about these layoffs? Are you worried about the future of Age of Empires? Let us know in the comments.
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