Microsoft Game Studios Has A New Name

Microsoft Game Studios has rebranded as Xbox Game Studios, a change that corporate vice president Matt Booty says reflects the company's evolution. "As we've expanded our focus beyond the console, the Xbox brand has also evolved from its original roots," he explained.

"Xbox is our gaming brand across all devices, no matter how or where you want to play, or who you want to play with. In that spirit, I'm pleased to share that we are changing the name of our game development organization from Microsoft Studios to Xbox Game Studios."

Xbox Game Studios is comprised of 13 teams including "343 Industries, The Coalition, Compulsion Games, The Initiative, InXile Entertainment, Minecraft (Mojang), Ninja Theory, Obsidian Entertainment, Playground Games, Rare, Turn 10 Studios, Undead Labs, and [Xbox's] Global Publishing Group."

According to Booty, these teams are "working hard to deliver incredible exclusives, original IP, and all-new chapters from your favorite franchises." Looking ahead, he noted that 2019 will offer Xbox owners Crackdown 3 (coming later this month), Gears 5, and Ori and the Will of the Wisps, all of which will be available on both Xbox One and PC and through Game Pass.

In 2018, Microsoft went on an acquisition spree, adding seven new game studios to its roster. While the new games these teams are working on haven't been revealed, Booty said, "as a gaming organization, [Xbox has] never been in a better position to deliver a diverse line-up of exclusive games for Xbox fans now, and in the future."

Of course, the projects these new studios are working on may not be targeting Xbox One as, at E3 2018, Microsoft confirmed work on new Xbox hardware was underway. Whatever the case, we might learn more in June, as Microsoft has teased big E3 plans.