Microsoft has announced that its game development organization is rebranding. Starting today, Microsoft Studios is rebranding as Xbox Game Studios. According to corporate vice president of Xbox Game Studios Matt Booty, “Xbox” has become Microsoft’s brand for gaming no matter the device.
This move seems to double down on Microsoft’s recent efforts to bolster its first-party and exclusive games lineup, which has included the recent acquisitions of several third-party studios including Obsidian Entertainment, Ninja Theory, Compulsion Games, and InXile Entertainment.
Xbox Game Studios is made up of the following studios and development groups:
- 343 Industries
- The Coalition
- Compulsion Games
- The Initiative
- InXile Entertainment
- Minecraft
- Ninja Theory
- Obsidian Entertainment
- Playground Games
- Rare
- Turn 10 Studios
- Undead Labs
- Microsoft’s Global Publishing group
In addition, the post runs down 2019 releases like Crackdown 3, Gears 5, and Ori and the Will of the Wisps, while mentioning that the teams are also working on big content updates for titles like Sea of Thieves, Forza Horizon 4, and Minecraft. The first game under the Xbox Game Studios banner will release next week with Crackdown 3 launching on February 15.