Xbox Game Studios has come a long way. Initially founded in March 2000, the company has undergone three rebrandings until it arrived at its current name. The company also has been acquiring a lot of development studios and making the Xbox and PC games library richer every year. At the time of writing, they have 23 development studios under them, with each one of them working on some game or the other. Let us have a look at each of these studios, their previous work, and upcoming games.
1. 343 Industries
Microsoft created 343 Industries back in 2007 to look over and develop future Halo titles after Bungie left. The studio co-developed Halo 4 with Bungie and has been involved in every Halo title ever since. The studio recently released Halo: Infinite on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. We have no news of any upcoming titles from the studio yet.
Name of the Game | Platform(s) | Year of Release | Metascore (on Console) |
Halo 4 | Xbox 360 | 2012 | 85 |
Halo: Spartan Assault | Xbox One, PC, Mobile | 2013 | 53 |
Halo: The Master Chief Collection | Xbox One, PC | 2014 | 85 |
Halo 5: Guardians | Xbox One | 2015 | 84 |
Halo: Spartan Strike | PC, Mobile | 2015 | 66 |
Halo 5: Forge | PC | 2016 | N/A |
Halo Wars: Definitive Edition | Xbox One, PC | 2017 | 81 |
Halo Wars 2 | Xbox One, PC | 2017 | 79 |
Halo Infinite | Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC | 2021 | 87 |
Upcoming Project/Rumor | Release Window |
TBD | TBD |
2. The Coalition
The Coalition looks after the Gears of War series ever since the studio acquired the series in early 2014. The studio has come up with six Gears of War titles to date, ranging from console and PC exclusives to mobile games. Several of these titles have rose to critical acclaim, with review aggregator scores averaging over 80.
Name of the Game | Platform(s) | Year of Initial Release | Metascore (on Console) |
Gears of War: Ultimate Edition | Xbox One, PC | 2015 | 82 |
Gears of War 4 | Xbox One, PC | 2016 | 84 |
Gears Pop! | Mobile | 2019 | N/A |
Gears of War 5 | Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC | 2019 | 85 |
Gears Tactics | Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC | 2020 | 81 |
Gears 5: Hivebusters | Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC | 2020 | 82 |
Upcoming Project/Rumor | Release Window |
TBD |
3. Turn 10 Studios
Turn 10 Studios was established in 2001 solely to come up with a racing franchise for the Xbox. The studio rose into prominence as the Motorsport games gained popularity and the Horizon titles become some of the hottest games released in a year. Currently, Turn 10 Studios is coming with the eighth installment in the Forza Motorsport series in 2023.
Name of the Game | Platform(s) | Year of Initial Release | Metascore (on Console) |
Forza Motorsport 5 | Xbox One | 2013 | 79 |
Forza Horizon 2 (alongside Playground Games) | Xbox One | 2014 | 86 |
Forza Motorsport 6 | Xbox One | 2015 | 87 |
Forza Motorsport 6: Apex | PC | 2016 | N/A |
Forza Horizon 3 (alongside Playground Games) | Xbox One, PC | 2016 | 91 |
Forza Motorsport 7 | Xbox One, PC | 2017 | 86 |
Forza Horizon 4 (alongside Playground Games) | Xbox One, PC | 2018 | 92 |
Upcoming Project/Rumor | Release Window |
Forza Motorsport | 2023 |
4. Rare
Rareware initially focused on developing titles for Nintendo Systems when they were established in 1985. However, after being acquired by Microsoft in 2002, the studio now focuses on developing titles for the Xbox. Some of the noteworthy releases of the studio include Sea of Thieves and Rare Replay.
Name of the Game | Platform(s) | Year of Initial Release | Metascore (on Console) |
Kinect Sports Rivals | Xbox One | 2014 | 60 |
Rare Replay | Xbox One | 2015 | 84 |
Sea of Thieves | Xbox One, PC | 2018 | 68 |
Battletoads | Xbox One, PC | 2020 | 72 |
Upcoming Project/Rumor | Release Window |
Everwild | TBD |
two other IPs | – |
5. Mojang Studios
Mojang developed and maintains the quintessal title, Minecraft. The studio was bought out by Microsoft in 2014. However, the parent company does not influence the creative decisions of the studio and allows them to pursue their vision.
Name of the Game | Platform(s) | Year of Initial Release | Metascore (on Console) |
Minecraft | Xbox 360, PS3, Wii U, Xbox One, PS4, Switch, PS Vita, PC, Mobile | 2012 – 2017 | 88 |
Cobalt (alongside Oxeye Studios) | Xbox One, PC | 2016 | 66 |
Minecraft Earth | Mobile | 2019 | N/A |
Minecraft Dungeons | Xbox One, PS4, Switch, PC | 2020 | 75 |
Upcoming Project/Rumor | Release Window |
Forza Motorsport | 2023 |
6. Playground Games
Playground Games was set up in 2010 to develop and look after the Forza Horizon series, a spinoff of the Forza Motorsport series. All of the games in this franchise have been massive hits and the developers have been on a roll ever since. The developers just came up with the fifth iteration in the series, Forza Horizon 5, in 2021.
Name of the Game | Platform(s) | Year of Initial Release | Metascore (on Console) |
Forza Horizon | Xbox 360 | 2012 | 85 |
Forza Horizon 2 | Xbox 360, Xbox One | 2014 | 86 |
Forza Horizon 3 | Xbox One, PC | 2016 | 91 |
Forza Horizon 4 | Xbox One, PC | 2018 | 92 |
Forza Horizon 5 | Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC | 2021 | 92 |
Upcoming Project/Rumor | Release Window |
Fable | TBD |
third development team is being created | – |
7. Ninja Theory
Ninja Theory was founded in 2000 as Just Add Monsters. The studio has faced several financial troubles and other hurdles in its journey of diversifying its portfolio. Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice, a game which explored the theme of psychosis, was a significant hit after years of underperforming or poorly received titles. The studio entered into an agreement with Microsoft in 2018, and is currently involved in developing several first party titles for the Xbox.
Name of the Game | Platform(s) | Year of Initial Release | Metascore (on Console) |
Kung Fu Chaos | Xbox | 2003 | 68 |
Heavenly Sword | PS3 | 2007 | 79 |
Enslaved: Odyssey to the West | Xbox 360, PS3, PC | 2010 | 80 |
DmC: Devil May Cry | Xbox 360, PS3, Xbox One, PS4, PC | 2013 | 86 |
DmC: Devil May Cry Definitive Edition | Xbox One, PS4 | 2015 | 86 |
Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice | Xbox One, PS4, PC | 2017 | 81 |
Star Wars: Vader Immortal, Episodes 1-3 | Quest | 2019 | N/A |
Bleeding Edge | Xbox One, PC | 2020 | 66 |
Upcoming Project/Rumor | Release Window |
Hellblade II: Senua’s Saga (Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC) | TBD |
Project Mara | TBD |
Project Insight | TBD |
8. The Initiative
The Initiative was recently founded in Santa Monica, CA to develop new IPs for the Xbox. We have no news from the studio yet, but rumor has it that they are working on Perfect Dark in collaboration with Crystal Dynamics.
Name of the Game | Platform(s) | Year of Initial Release | Metascore (on Console) |
TBD |
Upcoming Project/Rumor | Release Window |
Perfect Dark (in collaboration with Crystal Dynamics) | TBD |
9. Undead Labs
Ever since its inception in 2009, Undead Labs has focused on the State of Decay series. The Seattle-based studio mainly focuses on zombie survival titles. They published the original State of Decay title independently and were acquired lately in 2018. The studio is currently working on a State of Decay 3.
Name of the Game | Platform(s) | Year of Initial Release | Metascore (on Console) |
State of Decay | Xbox 360, PC | 2013 | 78 |
State of Decay 2 | Xbox One, PC | 2018 | 68 |
Upcoming Project/Rumor | Release Window |
State of Decay 3 | TBD |
10. Compulsion Games
Compulsion Games are known for their different approach to games. Their story-driven titles are full of weird twists and interesting settings. The Montreal-based studio was founded in 2009 and has come up with titles like Contrast and We Happy Few in recent years.
Name of the Game | Platform(s) | Year of Initial Release | Metascore (on Console) |
Contrast | Xbox 360, PS3, Xbox One, PS4, PC | 2013 | 59 |
We Happy Few | Xbox One, PS4, PC | 2018 | 65 |
Upcoming Project/Rumor | Release Window |
unannounced third-person game | TBD |
11. Obsidian Entertainment
Obsidian is one of the classic creators of WRPGs in the gaming industry. The Irvine-based studio has come up with noteworthy releases like Fallout: New Vegas, South Park: The Stick of Truth, The Outer Worlds, and Pillars of Eternity in the past. The studio is currently working on expanding its revered arsenal with titles like Avowed and The Outer Worlds 2.
Name of the Game | Platform(s) | Year of Initial Release | Metascore (on Console) |
Fallout: New Vegas | Xbox 360, PS3, PC | 2010 | 84 |
South Park: The Stick of Truth | Xbox 360, PS3, Xbox One, PS4, Switch, PC | 2014 | 82 |
Pillars of Eternity | PC | 2015 | 89 |
The Outer Worlds | Xbox One, PS4, Switch, PC | 2019 | 86 |
Grounded | Xbox One, PC | 2020 | N/A |
Upcoming Project/Rumor | Release Window |
unannounced third-person game | TBD |
12. Inxile Entertainment
Inxile Entertainment is known for its work in the CRPG space. Titles like Wasteland 2, Wasteland 3, and Torment: Tides of Numenera are some of the finest pieces of work the studios have come up with. Recently, in 2015, Inxile Entertainment expanded by setting up a new studio in New Orleans, LA.
Name of the Game | Platform(s) | Year of Initial Release | Metascore (on Console) |
Wasteland 2 | Xbox One, PS4, Switch, PC | 2015 | 77 |
Torment: Tides of Numenera | Xbox One, PS4, PC | 2017 | 79 |
The Bards’ Tale IV: Barrows Deep | Xbox One, PS4, PC, macOS, Linux | 2018 | 71 |
Wasteland 3 | Xbox One, PS4, PC, macOS, Linux | 2020 | 84 |
Wasteland: Remastered | Xbox One, PC | 2020 | 62 |
Upcoming Project/Rumor | Release Window |
unannounced AAA RPG title | TBD |
13. Double Fine Productions
Double Fine Productions is known for its unique work. Ever since the studio was set up in 2002, they have delivered fun titles that have taken the gaming industry by storm. The Psychonauts series might be their greatest creation of all time. Among other games, we have seen from the studio lie the fan-favorite title Grim Fandango Remastered and the immensely fun title, Massive Chalice.
Name of the Game | Platform(s) | Year of Initial Release | Metascore (on Console) |
Psychonauts | Xbox, PS2, macOS X, Linux, PC | 2005 | 88 |
Brütal Legend | Xbox 360, PS3, macOS X, Linux, PC | 2009 | 82 |
Costume Quest | Xbox 360, PS3, macOS X, Linux, PC, iOS, Android | 2010 | 74 |
The Cave | Xbox 360, PS3, Wii U, macOS X, Linux, PC, iOS, Android | 2013 | 70 |
Broken Age | Xbox One, PS4, PS Vita, Switch, macOS, Linux, PC, iOS, Android, Ouya | 2017 | 78 |
Grim Fandango Remastered | Xbox One, PS4, PS Vita, Switch, macOS, Linux, PC, iOS, Android | 2020 | 70 |
Massive Chalice | Xbox One, macOS, Linux, PC | 2015 | 72 |
Psychonauts 2 | Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PS4, PC, macOS, Linux | 2021 | 87 |
Upcoming Project/Rumor | Release Window |
unannounced online multiplayer title | TBD |
14. World’s Edge
World’s Edge was recently founded by Microsoft in 2019. This Seattle-based game development studio is responsible for looking after the Age of Empires franchise. World’s Edge recently came up with Age of Empires IV in 2021. No future projects are known yet. The studio is expected to continue support for Age of Empires IV in the upcoming few years.
Name of the Game | Platform(s) | Year of Initial Release | Metascore (on Console) |
Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition | PC | 2019 | |
Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition | PC | 2020 | |
Age of Empires IV | PC | 2021 |
Upcoming Project/Rumor | Release Window |
continued support for Age of Empires IV | 2021- |
Apart from these studios, Microsoft also acquired Zenimax and the studios under it in 2021. Together, the American video games publisher now has a strong portfolio of developers and titles under them. This makes us excited about the Xbox’s future.