Things can change quickly in the video game industry, and recent events have proven this. Xbox has been flying high since its 2026 showcase, with a slew of exciting titles revealed. However, any appreciation the company gained from that showcase quickly evaporated when it was revealed that several studios under the Xbox umbrella were on the verge of closure.
There have been rumors that several beloved studios are in jeopardy, so naturally a lot of people are upset about this. These are all things that can get you into trouble.
ninja theory
Ninja Theory is a studio that has been around since 2000. The company created a few games in its first decade and began releasing titles regularly in the 2010s. Xbox acquired the studio in 2018, but it has continued to produce games for a variety of systems, not just Xbox, since then.
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The studio is best known at this point for its Senua series, which began with the release of Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice in 2017. The first game left a surprising impression with its portrayal of various mental health issues. The game doesn't just show that the character has a mental health condition. It tries to make you feel it too. The best example of this is the use of binaural sound to recreate the feeling of having multiple voices in your head. This is a perfect example of innovative game design from Ninja Theory.
Despite the studio's uncertain future, a third Senua game is currently scheduled for release.
Along with Senua games, Ninja Theory is also responsible for several cult classics. The first of these is Heavingly Sword, an underrated action-adventure game. This is a very interesting and graphically impressive title that, funnily enough, was released exclusively on the PlayStation 3 in 2007. A few years later, another overlooked action-adventure title was released called Enslaved: Odyssey to the West. The game is a very loose adaptation of the classic Western travel story. It features outstanding writing, a profound story, and powerful performances from the iconic Andy Serkis.
forced game
Compulsion Games was founded in 2009 and has been around for a while. Nine years later, it was acquired by Xbox. Despite the studio's long history, it hasn't made many games, so you probably won't see its name in many credit sequences. In fact, there were only three of them, as the studio appears to be taking a quality over quantity approach.
The first Compulsion Games title was Contrast in 2013. This is a puzzle platformer that wasn't completely loved upon release, but it has its fans. These fans love the game's noir aesthetic and visuals. Moreover, it offers unique gameplay that includes both 2D and 3D perspectives. So at least the game is original. Also original is the studio's second title, We Happy Few. The game perhaps isn't as put together as developers or fans had hoped, but it offers a unique dystopian world whose populace is sustained by psychedelic drugs. Story-wise, the game is fun. Gameplay-wise, it's a bit clunky.
Arguably the best title Compulsion Games has ever made was their latest, South of Midnight. It's an action-adventure title set in a fantasy version of the Deep South. There's a lot to like about the game, including the dynamic art style and beautiful soundtrack. Plus, the story is very emotional and well written. Overall, this is a very solid game that feels different from other action-adventure games on the market. And this is what Compulsion Games always brings to the table. That's originality. None of the company's games are significantly similar to games produced by other studios. In a gaming landscape where imitation is rampant, Compulsion Games' desire to do something different would go unnoticed.
double fine production
Double Fine Productions was founded in 2000 and has been developing games regularly since 2005. It also frequently releases its own games. However, things changed when Xbox acquired the company in 2019. Because all subsequent games were released by Xbox Game Studios. But Double Fine had established itself a lot before then.
The studio's legacy began with the release of the original Psychonauts in 2005. Although the game can't be said to have been a huge commercial success, it certainly captured the hearts of many players, making it a true cult classic. It cultivated an audience with its clever and inventive 3D platform games. There's a lot to like about the title, but perhaps its biggest strength is the level design. Every level is based on the mind of one of the game's characters. This allows you to enjoy a unique and creative environment. Creativity also appears in the story, character models, and writing. Aside from the 2021 sequel, there's no other game like Psychonauts.
Psychonauts is the developer's best-known game, but there are many other great Double Fine games as well. Brutal Legends, Costume Quests, Iron Brigade, Keeper, Kiln and more. Double Fine has been regularly producing solid games for the service, so most of its titles will sound familiar to Xbox Game Pass users. So if the studio closes, Game Pass could take a hit in the long run. Plus, everyone will miss out on the many cleverly designed games that Double Fine is known for making.
Arcane Studio
Arkane Studios was founded in 1999 and its first game, Arx Fatalis, was released in 2002. In 2010, the studio was acquired by ZeniMax Media, which was later acquired by Microsoft. That's why Arkane is part of the Xbox Umbrella. The acquisition took place in 2021, but Arkane was already an established studio at that point.
A few games that made people take notice of Arkane were Dishonored and its sequel, Dishonored 2. Both titles are excellent immersive simulation games that give you the freedom to achieve your goals however you see fit. It also includes narrative choices and organic storytelling that doesn't rely on cutscenes. All of these became staples of later Arkane titles.
After the Dishonored game, Arkane grew its reputation even further thanks to games like Prey and Deathloop. Prey sees you wandering around a space station full of dangerous aliens and trying to figure out how to deal with them. Deathloop is a time loop game where you have to find a way to eliminate all targets within the given time. Each game on Arkane is different from the others in some way. However, a distinct visual and gameplay style is prevalent across all of the studio's titles. And this style continues to work, so there's still room for Arkane to make more games like this if they can keep alive.
