Microsoft eliminated over 9,000 positions across its operations during July, with substantial cuts affecting Xbox and gaming divisions. ZeniMax Media employees criticized the company's handling of terminations as poorly executed and chaotic. Several developers described the process as inhumane after being immediately locked out of email and communication systems without proper notification.
Union representatives from ZWU-CWA reported that workers remained uncertain about their employment status throughout the day. Page Branson noted that essential staff members for The Elder Scrolls Online faced elimination despite their integral roles. Senior QA developer Autumn Mitchell condemned the rushed goodbye messages employees sent through Slack before losing access.
The layoffs eliminated approximately one-third of ZeniMax's institutional knowledge according to affected workers. Remaining staff members must compensate for the sudden departure of experienced colleagues who possessed years of practical expertise. The cuts raise questions about maintaining game quality and development standards moving forward.
Union representatives from ZWU-CWA reported that workers remained uncertain about their employment status throughout the day. Page Branson noted that essential staff members for The Elder Scrolls Online faced elimination despite their integral roles. Senior QA developer Autumn Mitchell condemned the rushed goodbye messages employees sent through Slack before losing access.
The layoffs eliminated approximately one-third of ZeniMax's institutional knowledge according to affected workers. Remaining staff members must compensate for the sudden departure of experienced colleagues who possessed years of practical expertise. The cuts raise questions about maintaining game quality and development standards moving forward.
