Microsoft Game Studios has been renamed to Xbox Game Studios. The Microsoft subsidiary will continue to focus on Xbox consoles and Windows PC gaming. The move comes after Microsoft acquired a number of studios last year including Obsidian Entertainment and Playground Games.
Corporate Vice President Matt Booty announced the name change to Xbox Game Studios during today’s Inside Xbox stream. Microsoft said that it would expand Xbox Live services to Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android devices. It’s unclear if the company plans to start bringing more games to these platforms in the future.
Booty said, “At Xbox, we believe when everyone plays, we all win. […] As we’ve expanded our focus beyond the console, the Xbox brand has also evolved from its original roots. Today, Xbox is our gaming brand across all devices, no matter how or where you want to play, or who you want to play with.”
Xbox Game Studios is currently made up of 13 independent development studios. Microsoft also mentioned how “studios” can bring a connotation of other media including TV and movie, as several Microsoft-owned properties are coming to other entertainment mediums.
“We’re also excited to see how the seven new game development studios we added to our team last year maximize their creative potential as part of Xbox Game Studios. As a gaming organization, we have never been in a better position to deliver a diverse line-up of exclusive games for Xbox fans now and in the future,” the company said.
The Xbox Game Studios name comes as Microsoft continues to push the Xbox name to the forefront of its gaming content. Xbox Game Pass, the Windows 10 Xbox app, Xbox Live on non-Microsoft devices, and more highlight the company’s push to establish a strong identity for the Xbox brand.
Microsoft acquired Compulsion Games, inXile Entertainment, Obsidian Entertainment, Turn 10 Studios, and Undead Labs throughout 2018. The publisher also announced The Initiative, a new wholly-owned studio headed by Darrell Gallagher.
