Microsoft appears ready to cut thousands more jobs from its Xbox gaming division. Bloomberg and The Verge reported the layoffs will happen soon as part of company restructuring efforts. Xbox operations may shut down completely across certain regions around the world. George Broussard from Apogee Software heard industry rumors about the potential cuts. The Duke Nukem creator said Microsoft could eliminate 2,000 gaming workers.
The job losses would affect about 10 percent of Xbox staff when counting Activision and Bethesda employees. Gaming studios might close permanently during these cuts according to early reports. Microsoft has reduced its gaming workforce multiple times during recent years. The company fired 10,000 workers across all departments during January 2023. Another 1,900 Xbox and Activision Blizzard employees lost jobs one year later.
Xbox closed four studios during May 2024 after previous layoff rounds. Arkane Austin, Tango Gameworks, Alpha Dog Games and Roundhouse Studios all shut down operations. KRAFTON later saved Tango Gameworks and bought the Hi-Fi Rush game series. Microsoft canceled Project Odyssey, a survival game from Activision, after earlier job cuts. The company has eliminated thousands of gaming positions since acquiring Activision Blizzard.
Microsoft will likely announce the new layoffs before June 30 when its financial quarter ends. Industry observers expect the news within days as reports continue circulating. Xbox workers face uncertainty about their future employment status. The gaming division continues shrinking despite Microsoft owning major franchises and studios.
The job losses would affect about 10 percent of Xbox staff when counting Activision and Bethesda employees. Gaming studios might close permanently during these cuts according to early reports. Microsoft has reduced its gaming workforce multiple times during recent years. The company fired 10,000 workers across all departments during January 2023. Another 1,900 Xbox and Activision Blizzard employees lost jobs one year later.
Xbox closed four studios during May 2024 after previous layoff rounds. Arkane Austin, Tango Gameworks, Alpha Dog Games and Roundhouse Studios all shut down operations. KRAFTON later saved Tango Gameworks and bought the Hi-Fi Rush game series. Microsoft canceled Project Odyssey, a survival game from Activision, after earlier job cuts. The company has eliminated thousands of gaming positions since acquiring Activision Blizzard.
Microsoft will likely announce the new layoffs before June 30 when its financial quarter ends. Industry observers expect the news within days as reports continue circulating. Xbox workers face uncertainty about their future employment status. The gaming division continues shrinking despite Microsoft owning major franchises and studios.
