According to a recent announcement, Microsoft has gone ahead and disbanded its first-party
sports franchises, which include NHL Fever, NHL Rivals, and Inside Drive. Reports suggest that 76 employees were
let go, as Microsoft has decided to focus on what it does best… in other words, HALO 2 and other "epic,
platform-defining games". The sports division's fate was sealed long ago when, back in March, Microsoft announced
it wouldn't be releasing any sports games this fall. Not to mention, landing the Xbox Live deal with EA pretty
much gave Microsoft all it could ask for (i.e. Madden fanatics). Interestingly enough, Links and Amped
were not cut from the payroll.
Engadget
TUAW