Alexander Lewis 
Jan 26, 2024
Microsoft, the company behind Windows. has announced to lay off around 2,000 of its employees from its gaming division.
The lay off wave will encompass two video game studios, including Xbox and Activision Blizzard. The decision has come shortly after the technology company successfully secured a merger deal with the latter, along with two of its
With Microsoft shedding 10,000 during the same month last year, the technological sphere observed a series of tremendous job cuts in the past year as well.
In an official statement addressed to the company employees, Phil Spencer, CEO Microsoft Gaming, stated that the company aims to shed 1,900 out of its 22000 workers.
Read more: Pixel 8 Pro January update adds body temperature, Circle to Search, Photomoji reactions
Describing the layoff as a "difficult decision," the Xbox boss's statement suggested that employees in the Xbox division and Zenimax, which oversees gaming studios like Bethesda and Arkane, would also be impacted.
Microsoft Studios head Matt Booty sent another letter to Blizzard staff, indicating that meetings with affected employees would occur throughout the day, with those outside North America being notified later, as reported by The Verge.
The message echoed Mr. Spencer's, assuring that the company "will offer our complete support... including severance benefits based on local employment laws."
It also confirmed the halt of development on a widely recognised survival game project known as Odyssey.
Microsoft ultimately acquired Activision-Blizzard and Candy Crush creator King in September after facing regulatory challenges.
Following the completion of the deal, Activision CEO Bobby Kotick departed from the company without a direct replacement.
Blizzard boss Mike Ybarra, formerly of Microsoft, expressed in a statement that it had been a privilege to lead the company "through an amazing period," and he would now be its "biggest supporter from the outside."
