However, Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier has noted that, while the company is going to be affected, it won’t be reduced to just working on the two franchises.

It is worth noting that there are plenty of studios that operate under the larger ZeniMax umbrella. Along with Bethesda Game Studios itself, the company also includes id Software, MachineGames, and Arkane. In a social media post, Schreier has said that the company will continue to work on its other franchises, including Wolfenstein, Doom, and Quake.

“ZeniMax will be impacted significantly by the reorganization but will NOT be reduced to only Fallout and The Elder Scrolls, despite rumors over the last few weeks. The publisher will also still work on Wolfenstein, Doom and Quake,” he posted.

Xbox announced its layoffs through a letter sent to its employees and then published online, titled “Resetting Xbox”. Through it, CEO Asha Sharma announced that Xbox was cutting around 1,600 jobs today, with another 1,600 planned for the rest of the fiscal year. Along with this, she also revealed that Double Fine Productions and Compulsion Games are going independent, while Ninja Theory and Undead Labs are being sold to another company.

“I know this is painful. These changes will directly affect people who have poured their creativity into building Xbox,” said Sharma. “Many joined us through acquisitions, while others were recruited here, or sought us out because they loved this industry and loved Xbox. Today’s decisions do not reflect their talent or dedication.”

Along with the four studios listed, Sharma also revealed that Arkane is going into consultation to “review potential strategic options”. What this means for the studio’s current project – Marvel’s Blade – remains to be seen.

Sharma also announced that Xbox is getting a new COO. With the now-former COO Dave McCarthy retiring after a 17-year stint at Xbox, the role is being taken up by Helen Chiang, who previously worked on growing Xbox Live and Minecraft developer Mojang.

“She will bring our businesses together under one operating model, making sure we make clear investment decisions, learn from our successes and failures, and hold ourselves accountable for results,” said Sharma about Chiang.

The Xbox division as a whole is also undergoing streamlining, with many of the management layers across the company being reduced. Sharma noted that, in some instances, Xbox had 14 layers of management between studios and decision makers. This led to slower decisions and blurred accountability.

Moving forward, the company is aiming to have a maximum of five management layers for its various studios to deal with, and where possible, it will try to go down to only three management layers in a bid to ensure that the process of development is simplified with things like shared services, cleaner code bases, and reduced vendor spend.

ZeniMax will be impacted significantly by the reorganization but will NOT be reduced to only Fallout and The Elder Scrolls, despite rumors over the last few weeks. The publisher will also still work on Wolfenstein, Doom and Quake.

— Jason Schreier (@jasonschreier.bsky.social) 2026-07-06T13:36:37.175Z

How this will ultimately affect the studio remains to be seen, but MachineGames is allegedly safe. The success of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle has seemingly assured its continued existence, with Xbox reportedly keen on investing in the studio. Not only is a TV show allegedly in the works (with Amazon’s Fallout TV producers involved), but Wolfenstein 3 is also in the works.

It will reportedly complement the show, and given how Xbox is trying to capitalize on its transmedia properties, these moves make sense. When we’ll hear about it is a different story altogether, but if rumors about mass layoffs on July 6th are true, we’ll at least learn more about Arkane’s new structure.

As for Marvel’s Blade, it’s allegedly planned to be revealed this year with a release targeting 2027. It’s apparently pretty far along, though we’ve seen next to nothing from it since its announcement in December 2023 (not counting Todd Howard’s praise).

It’s why we’re excited to tell you about the game’s Switch 2 debut, although it hasn’t been a secret. The launch trailer’s a doozy, and it’s a perfect showcase of what your time in the game as Indy is going to look like. This is an adventure that’s too good to miss, and while the gameplay can occasionally become a tad repetitive, especially in combat, the story and well-written dialogue help balance things out. It also helps that Troy Baker really sells Indy as the legend we all know and love.

We will admit that the puzzles are definitely a challenge, especially in the DLC (which must be purchased separately for $20). They’re probably our favorite part of the gameplay loop, Indy’s witty insights aside, which is all the more reason for you to dive in on the Switch 2 if you want more Indy on the go or at home. If you’re on the fence, check out the trailer below to help make up your mind.

According to the report, the project is being developed under the codename Valkyrie, and performance director Tom Keegan and casting director Emily Schweber are noted as working on it. Among the roles being cast seems to be that of a woman named Sofiya—a possible reference to protagonist BJ Blazkowicz’s mother Zofia Blazkowicz. Performance capture for the project is slated to start in April, with dates slated for later in the year as well as in 2027.

Sofiya has been described as an orphan from Ukraine, and is slated to be aged somewhere between 8 and 11. She also has a dog named Ralph, who will apparently become a companion for BJ Blazkowicz. The character’s description notes that she was raised by “the resistance” to be a “strong-willed survivor”. While far from a confirmation, Sofiya might end up being a game-long companion for BJ Blazkowicz throughout the campaign.

While MachineGames has seen quite a bit of success with its most recent release—Indiana Jones and the Great Circle—studio director Jerk Gustafsson has expressed an interest in finishing up the Wolfenstein trilogy in the future.

“Our intention has always been to go back to Wolfenstein,” he said. “We wanted to finish the trilogy. And when we do that, that is something that I don’t want to comment on. It can be now, it can be later, but we’re not done with it. That’s what I can say.”

Gustafsson also spoke about the studio’s experience with first-person games that also have an emphasis on their stories, and how it wants to innovate with its future projects without losing sight of its roots.

“We have been doing very, very similar games, and very, very focused on first-person, story-driven titles for a long time,” he said. Gustafsson also mentioned that MachineGames is “looking more to see what we can do to innovate and expand within that genre. I often see us being able to do a mobile game. It just requires a different skillset that we don’t have at MachineGames. Maybe sometime in the future, but who knows?”

A report from back in January had also indicated that MachineGames had started work on Wolfenstein 3. The report has also indicated that the studio might have another project in the works. It is “thought to be working” on a multiplayer game that has been compared to Ubisoft’s Rainbow Six Siege. How deep this comparison goes, however, is unknown.

In the meantime, check out our thoughts on 2014’s Wolfenstein: The New Order, and how it still holds up quite well even today. Also take a look at our review of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle and its The Order of Giants expansion for more on MachineGames.

“Our intention has always been to go back to Wolfenstein,” he said. “We wanted to finish the trilogy. And when we do that, that is something that I don’t want to comment on. It can be now, it can be later, but we’re not done with it. That’s what I can say.”

Speaking of the more recent Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Gustafsson spoke about the studio’s experience in making story-focused first-person games, and how the studio also wants to continue innovating while staying true to its roots.

“We have been doing very, very similar games, and very, very focused on first-person, story-driven titles for a long time,” he said, before noting that MachineGames is “looking more to see what we can do to innovate and expand within that genre. I often see us being able to do a mobile game. It just requires a different skillset that we don’t have at MachineGames. Maybe sometime in the future, but who knows?”

Looking to the future, Gustafsson expressed hope that there is still a market for the kinds of games that MachineGames makes. “I still hope that there will continue to be a market for the type of games we do, because obviously we love to do them,” he said. “And to be honest, I also see less of them, especially when it comes to what we call AAA.”

A report from January indicated that MachineGames has been actively working on a new Wolfenstein game. The report, courtesy of Windows Central’s Jez Corden, noted that the game is being developed because Amazon is working on a TV adaptation of the franchise. He also mentioned that the studio is “thought to be working” on a multiplayer game, which is said to be similar to Ubisoft’s Rainbow Six Siege. While more precise details aren’t known yet, the comparison would indicate that it is a hero shooter with each team taking turns as being attackers and defenders.

Back in September, Gustafsson had spoken about wanting to revisit the Wolfenstein series, noting that there are still stories to be told in that setting.

“So that journey, for B.J., even during those first weeks at id when we mapped out New Order, we still had the plan for, at least, that character; What will happen in the second one, what will happen in the third one. I think that’s important to say, because, at least, I hope, that we’re not done with Wolfenstein yet. We have a story to tell,” he said.

While Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus was the last mainline entry in the series, it also got a pair of spinoffs—the co-op-centric Wolfenstein: Youngblood, and the VR-only Wolfenstein Cyberpilot. Check out our reviews of the three games for more details. And while you’re at it, also take a look at our reviews of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle and its expansion.

Check out the first trailer below. Set between the first and second movies in the franchise, it sees famed archaeologist Indiana Jones (with Harrison Ford’s likeness and Troy Baker’s voice) involved in a new mystery. It’s called the Great Circle and encompasses the entire globe, with the Nazis led by Emmerich Voss after its power.

Racing against time, Jones must uncover it first or die trying. While taking place from first-person (with the occasional third-person view), Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is more of an immersive sim shooter. You can sneak around, distract enemies with environmental objects, engage in fisticuffs (or use his signature whip), and platform across structures.

Pre-orders start today for Nintendo Switch 2 – check out our review of the PS5 version for more details, or learn more about The Order of Giants DLC. Even if you don’t pick up the latter, there are still updates such as New Game+ to dive into.

The apparent reasoning for this is simple: A new Amazon TV show is in the works. Releasing a new mainline title, especially if it returns the focus to B.J. Blazkowicz (the last game, Wolfenstein: Youngblood, starred his daughters), would thus be ideal. It would also contrast with how unprepared Microsoft was for the success of the Fallout series, though remasters of Fallout 3 and New Vegas are seemingly on the way.

But that’s not all, as MachineGames is also “thought to be working” on a multiplayer title seemingly akin to Rainbow Six Siege. That would probably mean different hero-type characters, more tactical gameplay and attack vs. defend objective-based modes. Does it really make sense, especially given all the competition? Maybe not, but you can’t fault them for trying something new.

And for Blizzard fans, this year could potentially mark the return of StarCraft at BlizzCon, with Corden confirming rumors of a new third-person shooter in the franchise. Whether it will be announced or not remains to be seen, but there’s a lot to look forward to regardless.

New Game+ is available for those who completed the story and allows for starting a new playthrough with Medicine Bottles, Adventure Books, currency and Adventure Points carrying over. Complete this, and a new post-credits ending sequence becomes available. As for Voice Language Select, it allows separate voiceover and texture languages based on one’s preference.

If that wasn’t enough, Xbox Series X/S players have a new Power Saving mode, which activates if the controller is idle for a period, resulting in a lower resolution and frame rate. Additional outfits are planned for the future, and the Power Saving mode will be coming to other platforms, so stay tuned.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is available for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC with a Switch 2 version coming next year. Check out our review for the PS5 version and the recent The Order of Giants expansion.

The Order of the Giants brings Indiana Jones back into the action for another round of some delicious action and tomb-raiding, his trusty whip and signature hat in tow. In doing so, it brings everything that was good about the main game back to the table, but perhaps doesn’t do enough to make itself stand out.

With that being said, it’s still an excellent adventure and is probably going to get more than its share of new players to try out the game overall, and could be a great option for returning players looking for something to do on the weekend.

Troy Baker’s take on Indy continues to be a highlight in this pocket-sized experience, and the other character introduced into the mix does a great job of keeping things moving. But for the most part, you play as Indy, looking for three pieces of a cylinder that supposedly open the doors to an ancient order. There are some boilerplate twists to the tale, which simply serve as an excuse to have Indy traveling to Rome as he investigates the secret order.

Like the main game, The Order of the Giants is a very immersive, well-designed experience that captures what an Indiana Jones adventure would feel like. Exploring ancient tombs or MachineGames’ beautiful take on Rome was sublime, as was the buttery smooth framerate on my PS5. I saw no dropped frames, stutter, or pop-in for the entirety of my adventure, and the graphics on display were quite eye-catching to boot. 

"Exploring ancient tombs or MachineGames’ beautiful take on Rome was sublime, as was the buttery smooth framerate on my PS5."

The DLC adds a new mission to your playthrough if you’ve already played the base game. Indy is tasked with investigating the aforementioned ancient order. While it was quite interesting for the most part, I believe that the experience here could have used some padding to make the adventure longer, as it took me about 6-7 hours to complete, without counting an important part of Indy’s new task: the puzzles!

Getting to each third of the cylinder, Indy needs to uncover the Order of the Giants and solve a bunch of ingeniously designed puzzles. The first one I encountered took me a while. I’d spent nearly two hours on it before realizing that a fairly simple solution was staring at me in the face all along. It was both annoying and funny to me at the moment, but it does show how the developers have built on what they already achieved and taken things up a notch on this front.

However, another one of those puzzles deserves a special mention thanks to how it takes everything good about the game and condenses it into a challenge that requires both brains and skilled fingers to navigate. Without diving too much into spoiler territory, this one was so simple to figure out, but a lot harder to execute. There was a lot of trial and error involved, and it had me grinding my teeth at it for nearly three hours!

"The Order of the Giants is a very immersive, well-designed experience that captures what an Indiana Jones adventure would feel like"

Another couple of puzzles after that were fairly straightforward but were similarly well-designed and implemented. It’s almost as if MachineGames designed the experience around these puzzles, as you’re more or less making your way from one to the next with a bit of exposition thrown in. It’s a pace that keeps you invested in the adventure while also providing you with some challenges along the way.

If there was something I wished the developers had done, it would be extending those challenges to the game’s combat, which remains exactly the same as it was in the base game. You take on Nazis guarding important areas or investigating events that Indy caused, along with a few members of the secret cult he’s investigating.

Even on the hardest difficulty, combat’s a matter of parrying enemy attacks and retaliating with Indy’s fists or weapons you pick up off the ground. The whip makes dealing with multiple enemies quite easy, and I rarely found myself reaching for my revolver. 

On the rare occasion I was downed, a very useful perk from the base game saw me reach for my fedora, getting Indy back on his feet with a roguish grin that might feel out of place considering the beating he had taken just a few seconds in the past. It was a tad disarming, but hey, I can’t complain since it let me face no consequences for a few atrociously timed parries.

"Even on the hardest difficulty, combat’s a matter of parrying enemy attacks and retaliating with Indy’s fists or weapons you pick up off the ground"

However, I’d argue that not adding more wrinkles to the combat loop is a glaring omission in an otherwise excellent DLC. New side quests do pop up as you go along, but they’re nowhere close to being as interesting as the search for the Order of the Giants. With that being said, the final boss fight that caps off the experience is definitely one for the ages. 

If you’ve already played Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, expect more of the excellent cinematic presentation and a very engaging setting from its DLC. If this is going to be your first time with Bethesda and MachineGames’ take on the classic character, you’re in for a jolly good time. 

But is The Order of the Giants worth your time and money? I would say yes, and that’s especially if you haven’t had the chance to try out the base game. Picking up both of them and getting to experience a version of Indy you’ve never seen before is definitely worth it. 

It helps that the DLC doesn’t require you to have completed the base game, and the opening chapters you play through to get to it do a great job of bringing you up to speed on its mechanics. It’s quite likely that you’re going to complete a playthrough of the entire experience once you finish the DLC, considering its length.

The Order of the Giants is a worthy addition to The Great Circle, despite it being more of the same. In a game that’s as good as this one, that’s definitely a good thing.

This game was reviewed on the PlayStation 5.

However, at one point, it was known for Wolfenstein, a contemporary continuation of id Software’s legendary shooter. Wolfenstein: Youngblood was its last title (we don’t talk about Cyberpilot), but MachineGames may not be done with the series just yet. In noclip’s recent documentary, The Making of Wolfenstein, co-founder and studio director Jerk Gustafsson said the team has always “seen this as a trilogy.”

“So that journey, for B.J., even during those first weeks at id when we mapped out New Order, we still had the plan for, at least, that character; What will happen in the second one, what will happen in the third one. I think that’s important to say, because, at least, I hope, that we’re not done with Wolfenstein yet. We have a story to tell.”

A listing emerged in 2023, potentially indicating a new first-person game was in development, but there’s been no official announcement. With rumors of more Indiana Jones titles in the works, it might be a while before MachineGames returns to Wolfenstein. Never say never, though, and stay tuned for more updates.

In the meantime, check out our review of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle on PS5.