XBOX has opened a division for experimenting with new technologies
Microsoft continues to build new teams within XBOX. Following the launch of XP, it has announced the creation of XBOX LABS—a division dedicated to exploring current technologies for game development.
According to XBOX head Asha Sharma, the opening of XBOX LABS was inspired by AI enthusiasts. Recently, they have increasingly used neural networks for bold experiments with decompiling, modifying, and porting games, which has led to the emergence of the most unexpected projects. Although Sharma did not specify names, examples of such endeavors include a browser version of Halo: Combat Evolved or an AI mod embedding Minecraft into Elden Ring.
XBOX aims to thoroughly explore these and many other possibilities. Sharma hopes that ultimately XBOX LABS will be able to create new useful tools—tools that the division will share not only with other Microsoft teams but also with external studios.
Despite its ambitions, the number of employees in XBOX LABS will be small. It is reported that the division will house only a small group of developers, engineers, and scientists. Scott Van Vliet, XBOX's technical director, will lead them.