What name did Microsoft use for its game division before renaming it Xbox Game Studios in 2019?

Microsoft called its game division Microsoft Studios before renaming it Xbox Game Studios in 2019.

Microsoft Studios was the publishing and development organization responsible for many games associated with Xbox and Windows. The company adopted the Microsoft Studios name in 2011, replacing the earlier Microsoft Game Studios branding. In February 2019, Microsoft renamed the division Xbox Game Studios to emphasize the Xbox brand across console, PC, and other supported platforms.

The division’s portfolio has included major franchises such as Halo, Gears of War, Forza, Age of Empires, and Microsoft Flight Simulator. Its internal teams and acquired studios have changed over time, so the name identifies an organizational brand rather than one single development facility.

The earlier label is sometimes confused with Xbox Entertainment Studios, a separate Microsoft unit focused largely on interactive television and original entertainment content. Microsoft Studios was specifically the company’s game-publishing and development division before the 2019 rebrand.