Microsoft is launching a new XP division to expand its game franchises into films, TV, merchandise and live experiences, signaling a bigger push into entertainment.
Microsoft is launching a new division, XP, to expand Xbox brands into films, TV, merchandise and live events. XP will have four departments: Xbox Pictures, Xbox Products, Xbox Places and Xbox Partnerships. Kayleen Walters will be president and Maria Angelidou-Smith will lead Mojang and Minecraft as CEO. The move follows the success of The Minecraft Movie and a Fallout TV series and aims to grow revenue by reaching audiences beyond gamers. Look for more project announcements in the coming months.
What this means for you: you could see more movie and TV content based on your favorite Xbox titles, plus related merchandise and live experiences. No dates beyond a 2027 Minecraft sequel are confirmed yet.
Microsoft’s Xbox division is broadening its footprint beyond games. On Thursday, the company announced a new division called XP, dedicated to turning Xbox brands into movies, TV series, merchandise and live experiences. The goal is to grow the reach of big franchises beyond the console and into screens big and small, as well as live events.
XP will be organized into four departments: Xbox Pictures will handle film and TV projects, Xbox Products will manage licensing and merchandise, Xbox Places will host and broadcast live events, and Xbox Partnerships will work with creators and brands to craft new experiences. The company is betting that stronger storytelling around its gaming worlds can attract new fans and additional revenue streams.
Leading XP is Kayleen Walters, named president. Walters previously produced The Minecraft Movie and is now involved with its sequel, A Minecraft Movie Squared, slated for a 2027 theatrical release. Microsoft also announced Maria Angelidou-Smith, who previously served as a Meta vice president and led product at Reddit, will become CEO of Mojang and Minecraft, underscoring a close tie between the game studios and the new entertainment push.
Microsoft’s move comes after a rough year for its gaming division, with revenue dips and a major restructuring that included layoffs and realignments. Still, executives framed XP as a way to diversify the company’s entertainment portfolio and maximize the value of its catalog of games, from Minecraft and Halo to Call of Duty and Gears of War in development pipelines. Analysts noted that licensing and film/TV deals can help parts of the library reach audiences that don’t play games, potentially lifting overall brand visibility and monetization.
What this means for players is subtle but real: the same worlds they know from games could appear on screens they don’t own, or merchandise they can buy. It also signals a broader trend where game studios are treating their IP as multi-platform franchises rather than one-off titles.
The entertainment industry has shown strong appetite for video game adaptations, with projects like animated series and live-action features drawing big audiences and long-term licensing deals. For Xbox, XP is a formal bet that its catalog can fuel a steady stream of content across formats, not just new game releases. If XP succeeds, it could push more cross-promotion between games and films, and invite broader licensing deals that help stabilize revenue during game-release lulls.
Two names stand out in the leadership lineup. Kayleen Walters becomes president of XP, bringing film-level production experience to the helm. Maria Angelidou-Smith, who previously led product at Reddit and once held a senior role at Meta, will run Mojang and Minecraft as CEO, signaling a close tie between the game studios and the new entertainment push. The leadership choices reflect Microsoft’s aim to blend traditional studio instincts with game-making know-how at the highest levels.
If you’re a gamer, you may see more crossovers in your favorite titles: more cinematic storytelling, new merchandise tied to your games, and possibly live events or theme park activations tied to big releases. It could also mean broader exposure for franchises you like, which might translate into more frequent updates, cross-promotions, and perhaps new ways to experience games outside the console or PC.
Microsoft says XP will roll out its initial projects and collaborations in the coming months, with a longer-term plan to expand titles across movies, TV, and live experiences. No specific release dates for projects beyond A Minecraft Movie Squared were provided. Keep an eye on official updates from Xbox as more titles and partnerships are announced.
XP is a new Xbox division focused on turning video game brands into movies, TV, merchandise and live events.
Kayleen Walters is president, and Maria Angelidou-Smith will lead Mojang and Minecraft as CEO.
Several projects are in motion, including a Minecraft sequel with a release date of July 23, 2027, but concrete plans for other titles have not been disclosed yet.
We expect more announcements about specific projects and partnerships as XP starts to build its slate. We’ll report any confirmed details as they come.
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