Xbox Reveals Plans for Fallout, Elder Scrolls and Halo

In the wake of 1,600 job cuts at Xbox this week, further redundancies are anticipated, prompting scrutiny regarding staffing decisions and planned changes within the company. Notably, reports suggest that the production of Obsidian’s Avowed 2 has been cancelled, as the team, which experienced a 25% reduction in workforce, will redirect its efforts towards a new Fallout title under the direction of Josh Sawyer.

The cancellation of Avowed 2 highlights broader concerns about Obsidian’s management. With Bethesda unable to produce a Fallout game in the near future, Obsidian was viewed as a logical candidate for the task. However, the release of Avowed, while ambitious, failed to resonate, alongside the relatively unnoticed Outer Worlds 2. Even if developing a new Fallout game is deemed appropriate, initial work from scratch would likely delay the release by at least three years, with a full-scale production potentially extending to a decade.

Meanwhile, the much-anticipated Elder Scrolls VI remains a significant point of interest, as it has been reported to be two to three years from completion. This timeline suggests that the game may arrive nearly eleven years after its announcement in 2018, raising questions about whether it can meet the expectations of fans after such a prolonged wait.

Uncertainty also shrouds the future of the Halo franchise, which has been effectively dormant since Infinite was released in 2021. Despite its status as Microsoft’s flagship series, there has been no announcement regarding a new Halo title, leaving fans in limbo.

New reports indicate that half of id Software’s workforce has been laid off, severely impacting the development of Doom. The future of this franchise now appears uncertain, with significant challenges ahead.

Looking forward, Microsoft faces considerable hurdles in revitalising its core franchises. New CEO Asha Sharma has acknowledged the necessity of high-quality releases to regain player trust and ensure the company’s success in the competitive gaming landscape.

How much do you know?

How many job cuts were made at Xbox this week?

800

1,600

2,500

1,200

What title is the development team at Obsidian redirecting their efforts towards?

Doom

Avowed 2

Fallout

Elder Scrolls VI

How long is the new Fallout game expected to delay its release if developed from scratch?

One year

Three years

Five years

Ten years

What is the anticipated timeline for the release of Elder Scrolls VI?

One year

Two to three years

Five years

Seven years

In which year was Elder Scrolls VI announced?

2016

2017

2018

2019

What was the status of the Halo franchise since the release of Infinite?

Dormant

Active

Cancelled

On hold

The production of Avowed 2 has been confirmed.

True False

Half of id Software's workforce has been laid off recently.

True False

Asha Sharma is the new CEO of Microsoft.

True False

The release of Elder Scrolls VI is expected in less than one year.

True False

Avowed was successful and received high acclaim from fans.

True False

Obsidian was considered a strong candidate to develop a new Fallout game.

True False

The team at Obsidian experienced a reduction in workforce.

The game Elder Scrolls VI may arrive nearly years after its announcement.

The development of the franchise is now uncertain after staff layoffs.

Microsoft's new CEO emphasized the necessity of high-quality to regain player trust.

The release of a new title has not been announced, leaving fans unsatisfied.

Developing a new Fallout game from scratch may delay the release by at least years.

This question is required