Rare studio, the team behind Sea of Thieves, is now tangled in a knot of disturbing rumors. MS is reshaping its gaming arm; people are talking about broad layoffs — figures thrown around include 1k+ roles. Xbox chief Asha Sharma has admitted the org has become unwieldy, which only fuels the chatter.
Reactions across the industry are messy. Some voices predict Rare will be closed; others point out that ongoing revenue from the pirate hit makes that outcome less likely. There’s also chatter about shifting corporate tactics: short-term cuts mixed with bets on longer-term server-development commitments (e.g., keeping live services running). FYI, none of this is confirmed.
It’s a situation of claims, counterclaims, and hopefulness from different corners — fans, insiders, and job-watchers all trying to read the signals. Official statements from the company will be the only thing that cuts through the noise; until then, expect the rumor mill to stay noisy.