One other 650 job cuts hit employees at Xbox following Activision Blizzard acquisition
“For the previous yr, our aim has been to attenuate disruption whereas welcoming new groups and enabling them to do their finest work,” Spencer’s memo says (thanks, IGN). As a part of aligning our post-acquisition crew construction and managing our enterprise, we now have made the choice to get rid of roughly 650 roles throughout Microsoft Gaming — largely company and supporting capabilities — to prepare our enterprise for long-term success.
“I do know that that is tough information to listen to. We’re deeply grateful for the contributions of our colleagues who’re studying they’re impacted. Within the US, we’re supporting them with exit packages that embody severance, prolonged healthcare, and outplacement providers to assist with their transition; outdoors the US packages will differ in line with location.
“With these modifications, our company and supporting groups and assets are aligned for sustainable future development, and may higher assist our studio groups and enterprise models with packages and assets that may scale to satisfy their wants. Individually, as a part of working the enterprise, there are some impacts to different groups as they adapt to shifting priorities and handle the lifecycle and efficiency of video games. No video games, units or experiences are being canceled and no studios are being closed as a part of these changes immediately.
“All through our crew’s historical past, we now have had nice moments, and we now have had difficult ones. As we speak is likely one of the difficult days. I do know that going by means of extra modifications like that is arduous, however even in essentially the most making an attempt instances, this crew has been capable of come collectively and present each other care and kindness as we work to proceed delivering for our gamers. We admire your assist as we navigate these modifications and we thanks on your compassion and respect for one another.”
Again in January, Microsoft laid off round 1,900 staff from throughout Xbox Sport Studios, Activision Blizzard, and Bethesda. These cuts have been then adopted by studio closures, which noticed a number of Bethesda studios, together with Hello-Fi Rush developer Tango Gameworks, shut their doorways.
Tango Gameworks has since been acquired by Krafton, confirming that the crew will “proceed growing the Hello-Fi Rish IP.”