Xbox has announced XP, a new division designed to extend its gaming franchises into film and television, consumer products, partnerships and live experiences. Minecraft is positioned at the centre of the initiative, with the division also covering projects from across the wider Xbox family.
Per the announcement, XP brings four existing areas of investment under one structure.
What XP will cover
Xbox Pictures
This arm will take Xbox characters and fictional worlds to new audiences through films, television and other forms of linear storytelling.
Xbox Products
Xbox Products will develop merchandise and other consumer goods intended to feel authentic to each franchise, giving fans new ways to celebrate the games they enjoy.
Xbox Places
Live events, immersive attractions, broadcasts, destinations and other community-focused experiences will sit under Xbox Places.
Xbox Partnerships
The partnerships group will work with creators, brands and communities on new experiences, sponsorships and collaborative brand projects.
For readers following the wider arcade and gaming news, the move reflects how major game properties increasingly extend beyond a traditional release on a screen.
Minecraft leadership moves to XP
Kayleen Walters will lead XP. She is currently president of Mojang and has spent eight years at Microsoft, working on Minecraft throughout that period. Her roles have included executive producer on A Minecraft Movie.
Before joining Microsoft, Walters held marketing positions at Lucasfilm, where she eventually became vice president of franchise marketing and integrated planning. She has also worked for MGM and Universal.
Maria Angelidou-Smith, previously Reddit’s chief product officer, will replace Walters as head of Mojang. Walters and Angelidou-Smith will both report to Xbox head Asha Sharma.
Films, series and live events in the pipeline
XP will oversee the upcoming sequel to A Minecraft Movie, titled Minecraft Squared. Its remit will also include the Fallout television series, the planned Call of Duty film and an animated Diablo series.
The division will collaborate with Hideo Kojima on Physint, an action-adventure stealth game designed to combine video-game elements with film, television and music. Sony dropped the project earlier this year, after which Xbox picked it up.
Live programming will also be part of the portfolio, including BlizzCon and Minecraft Live. Other projects may involve external brands and theme parks.
For arcade operators and home players, the most relevant question will be how these expanded partnerships translate into interactive attractions and playable experiences. Anyone planning a dedicated gaming setup can compare options in RETROCADE’s arcade machine buying guide, browse arcade cabinets or consider a compact bartop arcade.
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