As they have done, with great success, Netflix or Amazon, Microsoft had planned to produce more than a dozen television series to broadcast in streaming After the 18,000 layoffs announced yesterday, today confirms the closure of Xbox Entertainment Studios, the television production company The Halo series , saved
It was nice while it lasted. The dream of having our own HBO dedicated to the world of video games has disappeared.
The reduction of Microsoft’s workforce, announced yesterday, brings about the closure of Xbox Entertainment Studios , the television production company of the Redmond company, in a news that reaches us via Engadget .
An announcement that has taken everyone by surprise, because Xbox Entertainment Studios had more than a dozen series in its portfolio , and they have not even given it the opportunity to prove that it was a viable project.
After the great success of Netflix’s streaming series , which have even won several Emmys, Amazon, Microsoft and other computer companies launched into television production.
The business for Microsoft seemed clear: create television series associated with video games, and broadcast them exclusively on the Xbox console. In return, it would sell more games and increase subscribers to Xbox Gold.
To do this, offering quality products was key, and they spared no expense: the Xbox Entertainment Studios staff included film myths such as Steven Spielberg and Ridley Scott.
Everything seemed to be going smoothly. Last April, no less than twelve television series were announced , covering all genres, from fantasy to science fiction, detectives, documentaries, sports, etc.
All of them have been canceled . Only those that are already in full production have been saved. Phil Spencer , president of Xbox, confirms that the television series on Halo, produced by Steven Spielberg, remains . Although it does not clarify what happened to the film about the same franchise that Ridley Scott was producing :
It seems that Microsoft wants to focus its efforts on creating games and propping up Xbox One sales , rather than diluting its resources on too many fronts.
An opportunity to differentiate yourself from the competition, which you have missed.