Microsoft hands Halo, Sea of Thieves and Age of Empires to Activision

Microsoft announced a major Xbox restructuring: the Halo, Sea of Thieves and Age of Empires franchises move to Activision, which will develop the next flagship Halo via a new purpose-built team. Around 268 Xbox employees are being laid off, Ninja Theory faces closure, Obsidian moves to Bethesda, and Turn 10 and Playground merge.

• The next Halo will be developed by a new team inside Activision, separate from Call of Duty
• About 268 Xbox roles cut, bringing this year's total to nearly 1,900
• Ninja Theory faces closure after two sale agreements fell through
• Obsidian moves to Bethesda for a new Fallout; Turn 10 and Playground merge