The news of the week continues to be the thousands of layoffs made suddenly by Microsoft. Although the reasons and several issues not worth highlighting have already been somewhat clarified, we still feel bewildered by its scale and impact on Xbox and its studios. In response to this, Phil Spencer emailed the entire company commenting on the facts.
This email was sent and confirmed by Kotaku. We see a Phil Spencer thoughtful, but optimistic at the same time, since he considers that this was one of the most painful steps he had to cross. In addition, he undertakes to carry out communications in a transparent manner with each of the teams, in addition to discussing meetings with Zenimax to deepen the question.
Phil Spencer’s email and toxicity in the press
It’s been a tough week at Microsoft and here on our teams. Now that many 1:1 and team conversations have taken place, I want to take a moment to reiterate the message you heard from your leaders.
It’s a tough time for our business, and stocks this week have been painful choices. The Games leadership team had to make decisions that we believe helped ensure the long-term success of our products and business, but the individual results of those decisions are real. I know it hurts. Thank you for supporting our colleagues through these changes.
In the coming weeks we will have many opportunities to connect and answer your questions, including the monthly game update next week for teams attending this meeting, and I am in close contact with the ZeniMax teams to support you. The GLT and I are committed to being as transparent as possible. Moving forward in ambiguity is a challenge, but I am convinced that together we will get through this difficult period.
Xbox has a long history of success through the work it does in service of gamers, creators, and each other. Your work is greatly appreciated and valued in these changing times and is integral to the progress of our business. I’m confident in our future and I’m proud to be part of this team, but I’m also aware that it’s a difficult time and I want to thank you for everything you do here.
Phil
As we told you, this email was sent by an Xbox collaborator to Kotaku, who seems to have taken advantage of this whole problem to generate unease in the community. Phil Spencer responded a few days ago trying to show that toxicity gets nowhere, trying to unite the industry instead of polarizing things further.
Even if it seems that many employees are not satisfied with the mail, it is understandable to think that the projects will be thought according to the capacities of each team, giving the event of January 25 as a “placebo”.