Xbox launches XP division to turn games into films, TV and live events
Xbox is launching a new entertainment division called XP to turn its biggest games into films, television, products and live events.
The name is a play on experience points, the points players collect for progress in games. XP will house Xbox's film and television, consumer products, strategic partnerships and live experiences businesses, according to Variety.
Kayleen Walters will serve as president of XP. She is the current president of Mojang, Xbox's Minecraft studio, and a 13-year veteran of Lucasfilm.
Walters will lead a team focused on building entertainment and experiences based on Xbox video game franchises. The list covered by XP includes Minecraft, Call of Duty, Fallout, Warcraft, Gears of War, Candy Crush, Diablo, Forza, The Elder Scrolls and Halo.
XP is built around four investment areas. Xbox Pictures will bring Xbox worlds and characters to new audiences through film, television and other linear storytelling, meaning traditional scripted shows and movies. Xbox Products will create products tied to fandom that let fans celebrate franchises they love.
Xbox Places will bring communities together through live events, immersive experiences, attractions, broadcasts and destinations. Xbox Partnerships will work with creators, brands and communities to develop new experiences, sponsorships and brand partnerships.
Walters was executive producer of A Minecraft Movie. The film had the biggest opening weekend ever for a video game adaptation and hit No. 1 at the domestic box office, according to Variety.
During her time at Mojang, Minecraft grew from 350 million units sold to over 425 million. Her team there also secured a deal for the first of several planned Minecraft theme parks.
Several screen projects are already in the pipeline. A Call of Duty movie is in the works at Paramount. Xbox also has an upcoming Diablo animated series and holds the film and TV rights for Physint, the next game from creator Hideo Kojima.
Live events are part of the plan too. Gears of War recently did a takeover with WWE. Xbox recently hosted the first BlizzCon in three years.
Maria Angelidou-Smith was named successor to Walters as chief executive of Mojang. She most recently served as chief product officer at Reddit.
For fans, this means one team now handles what happens after the game ends. The next stop for these worlds could be a cinema, a stage or a theme park.
