‘I feel like I’m grieving’: staff on the devastating fallout of widespread layoffs at Xbox
Last month, Microsoft’s gaming division told its workforce it was cutting 3,200 jobs, which some say will have big ramifications for game development – as well as taking a huge personal toll
TL;DR
- Microsoft's Xbox division is implementing a major restructuring, planning to eliminate 3,200 jobs by 2027.
- Immediate layoffs affected 1,600 employees, with many describing the experience as emotionally devastating.
- Concerns are raised about the impact of job cuts on game development quality due to the loss of experienced staff and institutional knowledge.
- Unionized employees at Bethesda and ZeniMax Online Studios are in negotiations with Microsoft for severance and benefits.
- The layoffs highlight broader industry issues regarding long development cycles, financial expectations, and a potential shift away from blockbuster titles.