Microsoft's Latest Round Of Layoffs May Have Killed A Brand New Age Of Empires Game

Key Points:

• Microsoft’s internal studio World’s Edge, responsible for overseeing the Age of Empires franchise, has been significantly downsized and moved under Activision’s control, casting doubt on the future of new Age of Empires projects.
• Key staff members, including Adam Isgreen, have left or been laid off, with indications from LinkedIn posts suggesting that upcoming projects, likely including a new Age of Empires game, have been cancelled.
• World’s Edge functioned primarily as a franchise manager rather than a traditional development studio, coordinating multiple studios to produce remasters and updates for Age of Empires and Age of Mythology titles over the past six years.
• Fans had hoped World’s Edge was working toward a new installment, Age of Empires V, but recent layoffs and cancellations imply that this highly anticipated sequel may no longer be in development.
• Microsoft and former World’s Edge employees have been contacted for confirmation, but no official statement has been released regarding the status of future Age of Empires projects.