The wave of layoffs in the video game world has now also reached Microsoft.
Microsoft recently completed its acquisition of publishing giant Activision Blizzard King. But there is still one final chapter to this acquisition – and it is a sad one for many people who work at Microsoft.
1,900 employees have to take their hats off. There is also a prominent name among them: Blizzard President Mike Ybarra.
Video message to the workforce
IGN reports an internal video message to the workforce in which Xbox boss Phil Spencer addresses those affected and explains the reasons for this, according to him painful decision
explained.
Given the serious nature of the issue, we have translated Phil Spencer’s statements for you and are now giving them to you in their entirety:
It’s now been a little over three months since the Activision, Blizzard and King teams joined Microsoft. As we move into 2024, Microsoft Gaming and Activision Blizzard leadership are committed to agreeing on a strategy and execution plan with a sustainable cost structure that will support our overall growing business. Together we set priorities, identified areas of overlap and ensured we were all aligned on the best growth opportunities.
As part of this process, we have made the painful decision to reduce the number of our gaming division employees by approximately 1,900 of our total 22,000 employees. The Gaming Leadership Team and I are committed to making this process as thoughtful as possible. The employees directly affected by these cuts have all played an important part in the success of Activision Blizzard, ZeniMax and the Xbox teams, and they should be proud of everything they have achieved here. We are grateful for all the creativity, passion and dedication they have brought to our games, our players and our colleagues. We will provide our full support to those affected during the transition period, including severance payments in accordance with local labor laws. Those whose roles will be affected will be notified, and we ask that you treat your departing colleagues with the respect and compassion consistent with our values.
Looking forward, we will continue to invest in areas that grow our business and support our strategy to bring more games to more players around the world. Although this is a difficult moment for our team, I am as confident as ever in your ability to develop and promote the games, stories and worlds that bring players together.
“Phil”
Blizzard’s survival game has been canceled
As already mentioned, Blizzard boss Mike Ybarra is among those who will be leaving the company. In an emotional speech on X (formerly Twitter) he thanks all his companions and game fans worldwide. He also expresses his sympathy for the others affected by the wave of layoffs.
Link to Twitter content
According to IGN, Blizzard didn’t just lose personnel: the survival MMO with the code name announced in 2022 was also cut Odyssey
was scrapped as part of the restructuring – after at least six years of development.
According to the industry expert Jason Schreier should also Blizzard co-founder Allen Adham also has to take his hat off.
The wave of layoffs at Microsoft is just one of many dominoes that have been set in motion in recent months. No matter whether Ubisoft, Embracer, EA or engine manufacturer Unity – people across the video game industry have to say goodbye to their jobs. We spoke to those affected about it and we have linked the Plus report above.
