XBOX’s big reset will see 8% of XBOX employees laid off today in mass layoffs, with several studios sold.
The rumors have been persistent for weeks, but now it’s official: XBOX’s big reset is here, and it includes cutting 15% of XBOX jobs by the end of the financial year, with 8% of those cuts today.
XBOX Layoffs
The news via The Verge, says, “The layoffs will impact around 8 percent of the Xbox division today, with plans to eliminate a total of around 20 percent of Xbox jobs by the end of the financial year. Microsoft is also selling off four Xbox studios and weighing up selling another studio as it looks to “reset” its Xbox business after years of struggles.”
In an internal memo to employees, Amy Coleman, executive vice president and Microsoft’s chief people officer, said, “Decisions like these are never easy, and you have my commitment that we are constantly looking for ways to reduce the need for job eliminations,” says Coleman. “Whenever possible, our priority is to place people into new roles aligned to the company’s highest priorities and greatest areas of opportunity. Over the past year, we have redeployed more than 4,000 employees into new roles, including another 500 this month.”
In a new statement by XBOX CEO Asha Sharma, the job cuts will see 3,200 cuts by the end of the fiscal year, with 1,600 layoffs happening today.
On the studios being old, Sharma said, “Compulsion Games and Double Fine Productions will return to management and transition to independent studios with their IP, catalog, and runway for their next games. Ninja Theory and Undead Labs have entered terms to join new ownership with funding to complete and grow Senua and State of Decay 3. In France, Arkane’s management is beginning required consultation with its Works Council to review potential strategic options.”
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Tom Henderson is Insider Gaming's Co-Founder and Editor-In-Chief. When he's not running one of the industry's leading independent video game websites, he's probably playing an FPS like Call of Duty,…
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