Ex-Forza Horizon Director Traces a Line From the Failure of 'Well-Meaning' Game Pass to the Current Xbox Layoffs

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IGN · 4 min read · top_stories

Mike Brown, creative director of Forza Horizon 5, attributed Xbox's current layoffs and studio exits to Game Pass failing to reach subscriber targets needed to justify Microsoft's massive content spending, including the $69 billion Activision Blizzard acquisition. Brown said the subscription service was "well-meaning" and player-focused but didn't generate enough revenue at required price points to sustain the business model. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has cut 1,600 staff with another 1,600 planned, and four studios are confirmed leaving Microsoft ownership.

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Activision Blizzard Asha Sharma Bethesda Call of Duty Clutch Fallout Forza Horizon 5 Game Pass Halo Maverick Games Microsoft Mike Brown Phil Spencer PlayStation Plus Playground Sony The Elder Scrolls 6 Wesley Yin-Poole Xbox

Appeared in 2026-07-22.