Microsoft gaming division suffers additional layoffs

Final week, it was rumored that Microsoft was preparing for a serious spherical of layoffs throughout the Xbox crew. Bloomberg is now reporting that staff within the firm’s gaming division had been knowledgeable of job cuts Wednesday morning. The PC big has been on a cost-cutting mission recently, announcing it might let go of three p.c of its international workforce earlier this summer season, and saying a further 9,000 job cuts on Wednesday.

In response to Bloomberg, Microsoft’s Stockholm-based King division, well-known for Sweet Crush, is shedding 10 p.c of its workers, representing roughly 200 jobs. Whereas another European gaming workplaces are additionally slicing, US models are reportedly being knowledgeable later Wednesday.

Phil Spencer, CEO of Microsoft Gaming, despatched an electronic mail to all Microsoft Gaming staff concerning the layoffs, which was obtained by Windows Central and confirmed as genuine by Microsoft. In it, Spencer stated, “I acknowledge that these modifications come at a time when we’ve got extra gamers, video games, and gaming hours than ever earlier than. Our platform, {hardware}, and recreation roadmap have by no means seemed stronger. The success we’re seeing at the moment relies on powerful choices we have made beforehand. We should make decisions now for continued success in future years and a key a part of that technique is the self-discipline to prioritize the strongest alternatives.”

Here is Phil Spencer’s full word to workers:

At present we’re sharing choices that can impression colleagues throughout our group. To place Gaming for enduring success and permit us to give attention to strategic progress areas, we’ll finish or lower work in sure areas of the enterprise and observe Microsoft’s lead in eradicating layers of administration to extend agility and effectiveness. Out of respect for these impacted at present, the specifics of at present’s notifications and any organizational shifts shall be shared by your crew leaders within the coming days.

I acknowledge that these modifications come at a time when we’ve got extra gamers, video games, and gaming hours than ever earlier than. Our platform, {hardware}, and recreation roadmap have by no means seemed stronger. The success we’re seeing at the moment relies on powerful choices we have made beforehand. We should make decisions now for continued success in future years and a key a part of that technique is the self-discipline to prioritize the strongest alternatives. We’ll shield what is prospering and focus effort on areas with the best potential, whereas delivering on the expectations the corporate has for our enterprise. This targeted strategy means we will ship distinctive video games and experiences for gamers for generations to come back.

Prioritizing our alternatives is crucial, however that doesn’t reduce the importance of this second. Merely put, we’d not be the place we’re at present with out the time, vitality, and creativity of these whose roles are impacted. These choices usually are not a mirrored image of the expertise, creativity, and dedication of the individuals concerned. Our momentum shouldn’t be unintended—it’s the results of years of devoted effort from our groups.

HR is working instantly with impacted staff to offer severance plan advantages (aligned with native legal guidelines), together with pay, healthcare protection, and job placement assets to assist their transition. Staff whose roles had been eradicated are inspired to discover open positions throughout Microsoft Gaming, the place their purposes shall be given precedence evaluate.

Thanks to everybody who has formed our tradition, our merchandise, and our group. We’ll transfer ahead with deep appreciation and respect for all who’ve contributed to this journey.

As a part of at present’s layoffs, a number of video games, including Rare’s Everwild, have been cancelled and The Initiative, the Xbox studio which was producing the Good Darkish reboot, has been shut down. The information was damaged to the crew by Matt Booty, head of Xbox Sport Studios, who stated Microsoft “didn’t make these decisions flippantly, as every undertaking and crew signify years of effort, creativeness, and dedication.”

Here is Matt Booty’s full word to workers:

Following Phil’s word, I need to share extra in regards to the modifications to the Studios enterprise models.

We’ve made the choice to cease growth of Good Darkish and Everwild in addition to wind down a number of unannounced initiatives throughout our portfolio. As a part of this, we’re closing certainly one of our studios, The Initiative. These choices, together with different modifications throughout our groups, mirror a broader effort to regulate priorities and focus assets to arrange our groups for better success inside a altering trade panorama. We didn’t make these decisions flippantly, as every undertaking and crew signify years of effort, creativeness, and dedication.

Our general portfolio technique is unchanged: construct video games that excite our gamers, proceed to develop our greatest franchises, and create new tales, worlds, and characters. We’ve greater than 40 initiatives in energetic growth, continued momentum on titles delivery this fall, and a powerful slate headed into 2026.

For these instantly affected, we’re working carefully with HR and studio management to offer assist, together with severance, profession transition help, and the place potential, alternatives to discover roles on different groups.

To everybody throughout our studios: thanks. Your creativity and resilience proceed to outline who we’re. I imagine within the power of our groups and the route we’re taking up the trail forward.

Final yr, Microsoft slashed almost 2,000 jobs from its gaming division, affecting staff throughout Xbox and Activision Blizzard. In the identical yr, it additionally shuttered a trio of ZeniMax recreation growth groups after having acquired the online game holding firm in 2021. This would be the fourth spherical of cuts at Xbox within the final 18 months. These layoffs come in opposition to the backdrop of Microsoft’s $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard in October 2023.

The gaming trade has had a rocky couple of years, with an estimated 11 p.c of recreation builders dropping their jobs in 2024. Microsoft’s earnings have been on a gentle upward trajectory, with the corporate reporting over $25 billion in web revenue in its final quarterly report. When requested for remark, a Microsoft spokesperson instructed Engadget that the corporate “[continues] to implement organizational and workforce modifications which can be essential to place the corporate and groups for fulfillment in a dynamic market.”

Replace, July 2, 6:45PM ET: This story has been up to date a number of occasions since publishing to incorporate affirmation of the particulars of the layoffs, the cancellation of a number of video games, the shuttering of The Initiative, and an infuriatingly imprecise remark from a Microsoft spokesperson.

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