Xbox launches XP division to expand franchises into film and television

Microsoft gaming division Xbox announced on Thursday that it is launching a new internal unit named XP, according to reports from CNET, Gizmodo, and Polygon. The division is designed to bring non-gaming entertainment businesses together under one umbrella, adapting video game franchises into movies, television programmes, consumer products, and live events. [1][2][5][6]

The new branch is led by Kayleen Walters, the former chief executive officer of Mojang who served as an executive producer on A Minecraft Movie, according to Gizmodo and The Wrap. Maria Angelidou-Smith will take over the chief executive role at Mojang Studios. In a company blog post, Xbox Chief Strategy Officer Matthew Ball stated that the XP division supports the goal of Xbox to become the leading entertainment company globally. [2][7][12]

The operational restructuring follows recent commercial success with adapted titles, including A Minecraft Movie and the Fallout television series, CNET and Gizmodo reported. Out of hundreds of games in the catalog, Xbox has previously adapted only Minecraft, Fallout, and Halo into screen media. Additional film adaptations are currently in development for franchises such as Call of Duty and Gears of War, CNET and Cosmic Book News noted. [1][2][10]

Xbox is the video game and digital entertainment division of Microsoft based in Redmond, Washington. The unit oversees multiple publishing labels, including Xbox Game Studios, Mojang Studios, King, Bethesda Softworks, Activision, and Blizzard Entertainment. CNET reported that the launch of XP comes despite a year marked by revenue losses, workforce layoffs, and internal restructuring. [1][12]