I have no information, but I still believe (from the consistent messaging from Dev Q&A videos) that MSFS is well funded and has a long term commitment from Microsoft, and that it remains somewhat insulated.
Microsoft has a ton invested not just in MSFS, but also in the game studios and titles they’ve purchased in the past few years - I assume their strategy goes beyond an expecation for Game Pass subscriptions - I think it’s because they see “synergy” with selling more of their core products: Windows, Azure, Cloud, and of course more AI.
In the past week there have been announcements from both AMD and Microsoft of a continued partnership on hardware for Xbox, hand-held, and cloud infrastructure - with the theme being “play anywhere”. I think this means, besides Xbox hardware, they are probably building more game-specific server hardware.
… and the new Asus ROG Xbox Ally, a hand held Xbox made by Asus, with a new version of the Windows / Xbox OS that will allow access the 3rd party (read, Steam) content, apparenty.
I think this lines up with Microsoft leveraging Windows, Azure, Cloud and AI, trying to make it all work for gaming… I remember in one of the earlier Dev Q&A videos a couple of years ago, Jorg showed playing MSFS on a handheld saying it was ‘the future’…
The trend towards cloud-based games that are “purchased” has already raised the issue of consumer expectations of longevity vs obligations by the companies that sell them. Gamer’s Nexus just reported on a consumer movement seeking clarification of this issue in Europe:
At the same time, news of more layoffs at Xbox is pretty sad, the industry of popular innovative game studios has been gobbled up and hollowed out by rounds of staff layoffs.
In several Dev Q&A videos about MSFS 2024, Microsoft and Asobo mentioned as many as 800 people working on it (at the time). I don’t know how permanent or sustainable that number was. But all the messaging from MS / Asobo since November has been “all hands on deck” to get it off the ground, and I still think (hope) they have the funding and backing they need to do that.