project cancellations Archives

AppWizard

November 8, 2025

NetEase racks up its third studio casualty in one week, kneecapping dev working on a Warhammer MMO: ‘Devastated doesn’t even begin to cover it’

Jackalyptic Games, which was developing a Warhammer MMO, has ended its partnership with NetEase Games after nearly three and a half years. This is the third studio to be affected by NetEase's actions this week, contributing to a total of six Western studios that have closed this year. CEO Jack Emmert announced the situation on LinkedIn, indicating uncertainty for the studio's future, as many team members are now seeking new jobs. The trend of studios being abandoned by NetEase includes others like Fantastic Pixel Castle, Bad Brain, and T-Minus Zero, raising concerns about the viability of MMO development amid a challenging industry landscape marked by layoffs and project cancellations.

AppWizard

October 23, 2025

Report: Microsoft demanding Xbox operate at 30% profit margin

Microsoft has set a profit margin target of 30 percent for its Xbox division, which is higher than the industry standard of 17 to 22 percent. This directive has led to layoffs, project cancellations, and studio closures as the company shifts its focus to align resources with its strategic vision. An Xbox representative emphasized the need to balance creativity, innovation, and sustainability in their offerings.