Xbox launches XP division for films, TV and more, led by Kayleen Walters
In short
Xbox has announced XP, a new division for experiences beyond video games, including film and TV adaptations, consumer products, live events and partnerships. It will be led by Kayleen Walters, who moves from leading Minecraft maker Mojang, and groups its work into four areas: Xbox Pictures, Xbox Products, Xbox Places and Xbox Partnerships.
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Xbox has announced a new division called XP, dedicated to Xbox experiences that are not video games, according to IGN, The Verge, GameSpot and GamesRadar+. The Verge reported that it covers film and TV adaptations, consumer products, live events and partnerships with creators and brands, and that while different teams at Xbox already do this work, it will now fall under the centralised XP division. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
Kayleen Walters will lead XP as its president, moving from her post at the head of Minecraft maker Mojang. IGN and GameSpot described her as a Lucasfilm veteran and an executive producer on A Minecraft Movie. IGN and GameSpot called her Mojang's president, while GamesRadar+ called her Mojang's former CEO. In a statement quoted by GameSpot, Xbox chief strategy officer Matthew Ball said that under her tenure Minecraft grew from 350 million units sold to over 425 million and its merchandising business became one of the top 20 globally. The Verge reported that Maria Angelidou-Smith is leaving her job as Reddit's chief product officer to become CEO of Mojang and Minecraft, starting on October 19. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
According to Ball's blog post, as quoted by The Verge, XP formalises four investment areas: Xbox Pictures, for film, television and other forms of linear storytelling; Xbox Products, for products that are "authentic to the fandom"; Xbox Places, for live events, immersive experiences, attractions, broadcasts and destinations; and Xbox Partnerships, for work with creators, brands and communities on new experiences, sponsorships and brand partnerships. In a memo obtained by The Hollywood Reporter and cited by GamesRadar+, Xbox CEO Asha Sharma wrote that "XP is a play on 'Experience Points'". [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
IGN reported that Microsoft said XP was set up to help Xbox become the number one entertainment and gaming company in the world, and that XP is not a production company; instead, Microsoft wants to find partners to work across film, TV, physical experiences and consumer products. "Great games remain at the center of these franchises and at the heart of XBOX," Ball said, according to The Verge. [ 1 , 2 ]
Xbox is already developing several adaptations, including a sequel to A Minecraft Movie, a third season of the Fallout series on Prime Video, a Call of Duty film and a Diablo animated series for Netflix. IGN named the Minecraft sequel Minecraft Squared and said the Call of Duty film involves Peter Berg and Taylor Sheridan. GamesRadar+ reported that Fallout season 3 is filming and could reach screens as soon as May 2027, and that a Gears of War Netflix movie remains in production limbo. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
GameSpot noted that Xbox Entertainment Studios was unveiled in 2012 with the aim of producing TV shows to air directly on Xbox consoles and was shut down two years later. GamesRadar+ said it is currently unclear what the new division means for the on-screen future of Xbox's properties. [ 3 , 4 ]
Why it matters
The Verge reported that the division brings under one roof work that different teams at Xbox already do, and IGN reported Microsoft said XP was set up to help Xbox become the number one entertainment and gaming company in the world. IGN said XP is not a production company and will work through partners, while GamesRadar+ said it is unclear what the move means for the on-screen future of Xbox's properties.
Key facts
- Xbox has announced a new division called XP for film, TV and other experiences beyond video games. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- Kayleen Walters, who led Mojang, will head XP as its president. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- XP covers four areas: Xbox Pictures, Xbox Products, Xbox Places and Xbox Partnerships. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- Maria Angelidou-Smith is leaving her job as Reddit's chief product officer to become CEO of Mojang and Minecraft, starting on October 19. [ 2 ]
- Xbox adaptations in development include a sequel to A Minecraft Movie, a third season of the Fallout series and a Diablo animated series for Netflix. [ 1 , 2 ]
- In a memo cited by GamesRadar+, Xbox CEO Asha Sharma said the name XP is a play on "Experience Points". [ 4 ]
- IGN reported that XP is not a production company and that Microsoft wants to find partners across film, TV, physical experiences and consumer products. [ 1 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Xbox has created a new division called XP covering film and TV and other non-game experiences. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- Kayleen Walters, previously head of Mojang, will lead XP. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- XP is organised into four areas: Xbox Pictures, Xbox Products, Xbox Places and Xbox Partnerships. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- Walters is a Lucasfilm veteran and was an executive producer on A Minecraft Movie. [ 1 , 3 ]
- A sequel to A Minecraft Movie and a third season of the Fallout series are in the works. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
- A Call of Duty film and a Diablo animated series for Netflix are in development. [ 1 , 2 ]
Still unclear
- Walters' title at Mojang. IGN and GameSpot describe her as Mojang's president, while GamesRadar+ calls her Mojang's former CEO.
- Maria Angelidou-Smith's appointment as CEO of Mojang and Minecraft. Reported only by The Verge.
- What XP means for the on-screen future of Xbox's properties. GamesRadar+ says this is currently unclear.
- Whether Hideo Kojima's Physint will be adapted for film or TV. IGN says Microsoft's deal includes film and TV rights and expects an adaptation eventually; no other outlet states this.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- IGN reports that Xbox has announced the XP entertainment division led by Kayleen Walters. [ 1 ]
- The Verge reports the launch, citing a blog post by Xbox chief strategy officer Matthew Ball, and names Maria Angelidou-Smith as Mojang's next CEO. [ 2 ]
- GameSpot reports the new division and quotes Ball on Walters' record at Mojang. [ 3 ]
- GamesRadar+ reports the move, citing Asha Sharma's memo as obtained by The Hollywood Reporter. [ 4 ]