Xbox Hands Halo to Activision, Bungie Revives Destiny, Dune Hits Xbox
Microsoft’s latest Xbox reset reshapes several of its biggest franchises: Activision now leads the next Halo game while Ninja Theory moves toward closure. Bungie is also reversing course on Destiny 2 support, while Dune: Awakening finally arrives on Xbox and Game Pass.
Xbox Hands Halo to Activision as Ninja Theory Faces Closure
Microsoft confirms that 268 roles are being eliminated across Halo Studios, other first-party teams, and Xbox Game Studios management, while Activision takes development of the next mainline Halo through a new purpose-built team separate from Call of Duty. Halo Studios is being reduced to a support role for existing games.
The restructuring also places Halo, Rare, and World’s Edge under Activision, moves Obsidian Entertainment into Bethesda, and merges Playground Games with Turn 10 Studios. Ninja Theory enters consultation ahead of a proposed closure after two acquisition agreements collapse.
Undead Labs, meanwhile, becomes independent as State of Decay 3 continues to target PS5.
Bungie Restores Vaulted Destiny 2 Content After Losing Player Trust
Bungie says it is “not done with Destiny” and plans to restore previously vaulted Destiny 2 campaigns, raids, and destinations, three months after the game’s final update. New leadership describes Destiny as foundational to Bungie’s future, while acknowledging that Marathon needs to evolve and that the studio must rebuild player trust.
Dune: Awakening Launches on Xbox Game Pass Alongside Well Dweller
Dune: Awakening is now available on Xbox Series X|S after its earlier PC release, with Xbox Game Pass availability for eligible Ultimate, PC, and Premium members. Funcom says the Xbox release includes new accessibility and customization options developed over the past year.
Well Dweller also launches today on PS5 and Xbox, with PC and Ultimate Game Pass availability, and opens to a 91 Metacritic score and 90 on OpenCritic. The single-developer Metroidvania is drawing stronger early review attention than the day’s expected Game Pass headliner.
Rockstar Tightens GTA Mod Rules Ahead of Grand Theft Auto VI
Rockstar Games introduces new restrictions for mods involving missions, maps, updated storylines, and third-party intellectual property ahead of Grand Theft Auto VI. The rules also place the studio’s established storylines, characters, and other continuity elements off limits, while Take-Two begins removing footage of scrapped Grand Theft Auto V DLC and an early Grand Theft Auto VI map.
007 First Light Switch 2 Version Delayed Again to March 2027
IO Interactive delays the Nintendo Switch 2 version of 007 First Light for a third time, moving its release to March 2027. The studio says it “had no choice” but to postpone the launch.