Xbox TV project to be canned

As a part of the layoffs and restructuring announced by new Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, the Xbox division will shutter its TV production wing, Xbox Entertainment Studios.

New Xbox boss Phil Spencer circulated an email to Xbox employees, saying that Microsoft envisions a "mobile-first and cloud-first world" and that "games are the single biggest digital life category in a mobile-first world".

"For Xbox to be successful, we must remain committed to being a consumer-driven organisation with the mission of meeting the high expectations of a passionate fan base, to create the best games and to drive technical innovation.

"As part of the planned reduction to our overall workforce announced today and in light of our organisation's mission, we plan to streamline a handful of portfolio and engineering development efforts across Xbox.

"One such plan is that, in the coming months, we expect to close Xbox Entertainment Studios."

Spencer said key projects already in development would be seen through. These include Halo: Nightfall, the Halo TV series, and the Signal to Noise documentary series. American audiences will also get NFL on Xbox.

Variety reports that Satya Nadella was never convinced of the merits of developing original programming at Xbox.

Nadella was taking a "hard look" and was "questioning the plan to produce a broad slate of original series", said Variety.

In April, Xbox announced a huge slate of original programming, including dramas, comedies, documentaries, animation, unscripted shows, and live events. Most have now been slashed.

Around the same time, Gameplanet spoke with the head of Xbox TV, Nancy Tellem, who had joined the company from CBS. Tellem and others will remain with the company to see through the productions already in development, reports Variety.

- Gameplanet