realignment Archives

AppWizard

January 22, 2026

Ubisoft axes six games, including the Prince of Persia Sands of Time remake that felt like it was finally within reach

Ubisoft has announced a comprehensive organizational and operational reset, which includes the cancellation of six in-development projects, notably the Prince of Persia: Sands of Time remake. This remake, initially unveiled in 2020, has faced development challenges and is now shelved indefinitely. The company's strategic pivot is a response to changes in the gaming industry, focusing on open-world games and "Games as a Service" (GaaS) experiences, supported by investments in generative AI. Ubisoft has created "Creative Houses" for dedicated teams to enhance brand focus and streamline development. Despite the cancellations, Ubisoft is developing four new intellectual properties, including March of Giants. Additionally, seven upcoming titles have been delayed, with speculation surrounding the remake of Assassin's Creed: Black Flag and other potential candidates like The Division 3 and the remake of Splinter Cell.

Winsage

January 12, 2026

2026 Shift: Professionals Ditch Windows 11 for Linux’s Speed and Savings

Professionals are increasingly moving away from Windows 11 to various Linux distributions due to dissatisfaction with performance issues and intrusive features in Windows. A 2025 analysis showed Linux distributions outperforming Windows by an average of 19.5% in everyday tasks. Performance tests indicated that SteamOS, a Linux-based platform, often matched or exceeded Windows 11 in gaming performance. Linux's lightweight nature and superior system administration tools appeal to those managing servers and virtual environments. Security concerns regarding Windows 11, including privacy issues and forced updates, have led users to prefer Linux's open-source model, which allows for greater transparency and customization. Economic factors also play a role, as Linux is free and open-source, eliminating licensing fees associated with Windows 11. User-friendly distributions like Linux Mint facilitate the transition for new users, and community support helps address common challenges. Large organizations are increasingly adopting Linux for its stability and responsiveness, while the Linux community fosters rapid improvements and adaptability. User feedback highlights privacy, performance, and customizability as key benefits of switching to Linux.

AppWizard

October 29, 2025

Amazon Games is making major layoffs as it shifts focus away from MMOs to its Luna cloud gaming platform: ‘We have made the difficult decision to halt a significant amount of our first-party AAA game development’

Amazon has reduced its workforce by 14,000 employees across various divisions, with significant cuts in the gaming sector, particularly within game development teams. This decision is part of a strategic shift in Amazon's gaming strategy, as communicated by Steve Boom, the vice president of audio, Twitch, and games. The company is scaling back on major projects, especially in massively multiplayer online games (MMOs), and has made staffing reductions at Amazon Game Studios in Irvine and San Diego. Despite these layoffs, Amazon is committed to certain projects, including a new Tomb Raider game and an open-world driving game. Amazon's gaming efforts have faced challenges, with mixed success in titles like New World: Aeternum and failures such as Crucible. The company plans to focus on creating "console-friendly titles, known IPs, or known play patterns" as it pivots towards its Luna platform. The exact number of employees affected by the layoffs is undisclosed.

AppWizard

August 12, 2025

Amazon is shutting down its Android app store next week

The Amazon App Store on Android devices will close on August 20, marking a shift in Amazon's strategy to focus on its own products like Fire Tablets and Fire TV. The decision, announced in February, comes as Amazon has determined that the incentive to maintain the service for Android users has diminished, given that most interactions with the app store are from its proprietary devices. The app store, available in over 200 countries, provided a platform for various applications but will soon be discontinued, along with Amazon Coins, which will also be refunded by the closure date.

Winsage

July 19, 2025

Microsoft shuts down Movies & TV digital storefront on Xbox and Windows

Microsoft will discontinue its Movies & TV digital storefront on Xbox consoles and Windows devices on July 18, 2025, ending the ability to purchase new movies and TV shows through the Microsoft Store. Users will still have access to previously purchased content via the Movies & TV application on their devices. The closure will affect new entertainment content acquisitions on Microsoft.com and the Microsoft Store on Windows and Xbox, but users can continue to enjoy their existing digital libraries. The refund policy for movies and TV shows will remain unchanged, with purchases being ineligible for refunds. Content portability options are available through Movies Anywhere for U.S. residents, but direct migration to alternative services is largely unavailable. Third-party entertainment services will continue to be available on Microsoft's platforms for new content purchases. The Movies & TV storefront has been operational since 2015, evolving from earlier services. Microsoft will maintain server infrastructure for existing content libraries and provide ongoing support for previously purchased content. Content licensing agreements will dictate the availability of purchased titles.

AppWizard

June 26, 2025

Intel is making another round of layoffs

Intel is reducing its workforce, with approximately 107 employees affected at its Santa Clara headquarters, as indicated by a WARN notice. The company plans to cut 15 to 20 percent of its workforce in the chip manufacturing division. This decision is part of a broader strategy for future growth, aiming to become a leaner and more efficient company. Intel has set goals to cut operating costs by billion in the 2025 financial year and an additional billion in 2026.

AppWizard

June 4, 2025

Zynga closes Echtra Games

Echtra Games, the studio behind Torchlight 3, has been closed by Zynga as part of a strategic realignment of resources. Established by Max Schaefer, Echtra was acquired by Zynga in 2021 and had been working on an unannounced cross-platform RPG. The closure ends development on future titles and raises concerns among employees, although Zynga has pledged to support them during the transition.

AppWizard

June 3, 2025

Torchlight 3 studio Echtra Games, acquired by Zynga in 2021 to help it move into PC and console gaming, is being closed without doing that

Zynga has announced the closure of Echtra Games, the studio behind Torchlight 3, ending development on future titles and reducing roles at the studio. This decision is part of a broader realignment of the company's resources and priorities. Echtra was acquired by Zynga shortly after the release of Torchlight 3, which received mixed reviews. The closure follows the shutdown of NaturalMotion's Star Wars: Hunters and reflects a trend within the gaming industry of companies reassessing their portfolios. Additionally, Take-Two Interactive, Zynga's parent company, has faced a workforce reduction of approximately 5% and sold its Private Division publishing division. The share price of Take-Two fluctuated after the delay of Grand Theft Auto 6, now set for a May 26, 2026 release on consoles.

AppWizard

March 27, 2025

Tencent backs new Ubisoft subsidiary

Ubisoft has established a new subsidiary dedicated to its major franchises, including Assassin's Creed, Far Cry, and Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six. This entity will manage both upcoming titles and the existing catalog, allowing for increased investment and development. Tencent has invested €1.16 billion for a 25 percent stake in this subsidiary, which is valued at approximately €4 billion. Ubisoft's current market capitalization is around €1.91 billion. The move is part of Ubisoft's strategy to transform its operating model and build strong game ecosystems. There have also been discussions about potentially selling some of Ubisoft's intellectual properties to companies like Microsoft and EA.

AppWizard

February 26, 2025

Warner Bros shuts down three studios, including Monolith

Warner Bros has announced the closure of three development studios: Monolith Productions, Player First Games, and its mobile-focused San Diego studio. As a result, 131 employees in Kirkland, Washington, will be laid off. Monolith Productions is known for titles such as Fear, Condemned, Shadow of Mordor, and Shadow of War, but its anticipated Wonder Woman game will not be developed. Player First Games is recognized for the game Multiversus. Warner Bros stated that the closures are part of a strategic shift to focus on key franchises like Harry Potter, Mortal Kombat, DC, and Game of Thrones, and emphasized that the decision does not reflect the talent of the teams involved.