Microsoft pulls out of IO Interactive’s Project Fantasy

IO Interactive and Microsoft have separately confirmed that Microsoft has pulled out of a partnership for Project Fantasy, which looked like it was going to be a fantasy RPG project Xbox exclusive. Currently, the future of Project Fantasy is unknown, though IO Interactive wants to continue working on it, but we do know that off the back of Microsoft pulling out of of this partnership, IO Interactive is having to review its staffing. In a statement, IO Interactive wrote:

“Dear gaming community, For a good while, it has been all positive news from IO Interactive. We remain humbled and honored by the response to our latest outing with a young, unproven Bond. A bold new story and a take on one of the most famous characters in entertainment, which the world has embraced with love. However, today we have to share some more downbeat news. A relationship with an external partner on our own IP, Project Fantasy, has come to an end. This means we have to adapt to this new reality and its short-term consequences, including staffing decisions, which is what is happening as we write this update, and we are fully committed to supporting those affected through this challenging transition. Project Fantasy is a game, a world, and an IP that we absolutely love and remain 100% committed to, now and in the future. This wonderful universe will see the light of day.”

In a separate statement to Bloomberg, a Microsoft spokesperson said, “We’re not reducing our overall investment in games. We expect to invest about the same in content as we did last year. What’s changing is where we’re investing and the kinds of projects we’re backing.”

This comes off the back of reports that Microsoft is going to be cutting more jobs in the Xbox division, though where those cuts will impact is not yet officially known.

Source: Bloomberg/IO Interactive 

Tags: Project Fantasy