Xbox Launches Division Xbox XP To Focus on Game Adaptations

Xbox has created XP, a new entertainment division that will bring together the brand's businesses related to film, television, products, live experiences, and strategic partnerships. The department will be headed by Kayleen Walters, current head of Mojang, the studio behind Minecraft; she will assume the role of president of XP.

Xbox Pictures, one of the four areas of the new division, will be responsible for adapting the universes and characters of the games into films, series, and other audiovisual productions. Among the franchises included are Minecraft, Call of Duty, Fallout, Warcraft, Gears of War, Candy Crush, Diablo, Forza, The Elder Scrolls, and Halo.

In addition to audiovisual content, XP will have three other fronts: Xbox Products  dedicated to products aimed at fans; Xbox Places, which will handle events, attractions, and immersive experiences; and Xbox Partnerships, responsible for partnerships with creators, brands, and communities.

The initiative expands a strategy that has already yielded projects outside of gaming. A Minecraft Movie, from Warner Bros., had the biggest opening in history among video game adaptations, while Prime Video's Fallout became another highlight in this market. Xbox also has an animated Diablo series in development and a Call of Duty movie at Paramount.

Walters arrives in his new position after 13 years at Lucasfilm and a period leading Mojang. During his tenure, Minecraft went from 350 million to over 425 million units sold, in addition to expanding its presence into other areas of entertainment, including plans for theme parks.

With the change, Maria Angelidou-Smith, former head of product at Reddit, will take over the leadership of Mojang.

According to Xbox, XP was created to broaden the reach of its main franchises and explore new ways to connect with audiences outside of gaming.