2024-01-25 16:35:04
Microsoft decided cut 1,900 people (8% of the staff of 22 thousand employees). Employees will be the most affected Activision Blizzardbut cuts will also affect Xbox and ZeniMax Media (own id Software, Machine Games, Tango Gameworks and a number of other studios).
The head of Microsoft’s gaming division, Phil Spencer, noted that the decision was very painful and is associated with a new plan that will help support the company’s growing business. The main goal of the gaming division was to provide more games to the maximum number of players around the world. At the same time, Phil is “more confident than ever” that Xbox and its internal studios have the power to create and develop games, stories and worlds that bring players together.
The laid-off employees were thanked for their important role in the success of their companies. They were promised support, including severance pay. It is noteworthy that two high-ranking members of Blizzard also left Microsoft. This is President Mike Ibarra and Chief Designer Allen Adam. A new president is due to be appointed next week.
After cuts also has been cancelled Blizzard’s previously announced survival game, codenamed Odyssey. A number of the employees who worked on it will be transferred to create several “promising” new Blizzard projects. They are in the early stages of development
Mike Ibarra also appealed to the community. He thanked everyone who was impacted by today’s cuts. In addition, the Blizzard developers deserve gratitude. Mike himself recalled that he spent more than 20 years as a Microsoft employee.
The layoffs come months following the successful completion of the merger between Microsoft and Activision Blizzard.
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