While Sony and Nintendo are thriving, Microsoft and Netflix are facing challenges in their gaming divisions. Xbox is once again laying off a large number of employees, while Netflix is removing over 20 games.
Sony continues to enjoy great success with its PlayStation 5 console, which dominates in Europe, North America and Asia. PlayStation 5 gained further momentum after Microsoft began sharing its once-exclusive games.
Nintendo is also riding high with the Switch 2, which has become the fastest-selling console in history. The new hybrid console succeeds the original Switch, which held the title of best-selling console for several years.
Xbox layoffs
Microsoft is planning a "major round of layoffs" in its Xbox division next week, coinciding with the end of its fiscal year, according to Bloomberg. Thousands of employees are reportedly being let go.
This will be the fourth round of layoffs in the Xbox division in the last 18 months.
The layoffs follow Microsoft's record $69 billion acquisition of game studio Activision Blizzard. Microsoft has also shifted its gaming strategy away from a console-centric model. Availability of Xbox consoles has been dwindling for months in markets around the world.
Now, every device is an Xbox, according to the company. The strategy hinges on game streaming via apps on Smart TVs and other devices. However, the Xbox app is still missing from some major platforms, such as Google TV and Apple TV.
Netflix removes games, shifts strategy
Netflix is also struggling with its gaming push and will remove 22 games from its catalog in July.
The titles include Hades, Monument Valley and the Golden Idol games. See the full list below.
This comes after Netflix reorganized its gaming division to focus on different types of games. The new head of Netflix Games, Alain Tascan, has said that the company plans to launch its first TV-native games toward the end of 2025.
At this time, Netflix games are only available for iOS and Android mobile via download. The company has been experimenting with game streaming for some time.
Games being removed from Netflix
| Battleship
Braid, Anniversary Edition
Carmen Sandiego
CoComelon: Play with JJ
Death’s Door
Diner Out: Merge Cafe
Dumb Ways to Survive
Ghost Detective
Hades
Katana Zero
Lego Legacy: Heroes Unboxed
Ludo King
Monument Valley
Monument Valley 2
Monument Valley 3
Rainbow Six: Smol
Raji: An Ancient Epic
SpongeBob: Bubble Pop F.U.N.
TED Tumblewords
The Case of the Golden Idol
The Rise of the Golden Idol
Vineyard Valley |
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