"Microsoft Cancels Blizzard's Long-Awaited Game, Leaving Devs Scrambling Amid Layoffs"

Microsoft's gaming division layoffs have affected staff at Activision Blizzard, leading to the cancellation of an in-development survival game codenamed "Odyssey" and the departure of most of the team. The project, which began in 2017, faced challenges with engine selection and was ultimately scrapped due to the Synapse engine not being ready for production. This comes after Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard and previous job cuts, signaling a grim start for the gaming industry in 2024.