The Tech sector is undergoing a very dark period, with several giants who have announced a large cut in their staff. Among these we find Microsoft, responsible for the dismissal of 4.5% of its staff, equal to 10,000 employees. This cut also affected the Xbox Game Studios family, especially 343 Industries and Bethesda. Phil Spencer, head of the Xbox division and CEO of Microsoft Gaming, called the layoffs of Microsoft and Xbox as a painful choice, but necessary to secure the future of the company.
In a long email sent to his employees, Spencer explains that all this is aimed at the livelihood of the company. “Was a difficult week for Microsoft and our teams. Now that many face-to-face conversations have taken place, I want to take a moment to recall the message you’ve already heard from your bosses,” Spencer writes in the opening part of the email. The Xbox CEO continues, reiterating the dark period that the entire industry is going through.
“This is a challenging time for our business, and this week’s stock has been painful. The Gaming Leadership Team has had to make decisions that we believe will lead to the long-term success of our products and business, but the individual results of such decisions are real. I know it hurts. Thank you for supporting our employees in implementing these changes.”
“We will have many opportunities over the next few weeks to connect and answer your questions, including next week’s Monthly Gaming Update for all teams looking forward to that meeting, and I am in close contact with the ZeniMax teams to provide support. The GLT (Gaming Leadership Team) and I are committed to being as transparent as possible. Moving forward with various ambiguities is difficult, but I am sure that together we will go through this difficult moment”.
“Xbox has a long and successful history of your service to players, creators etc. Your work is so deeply appreciated in these times of change, and is an integral part of our business momentum. I am confident in our future and I am proud to be part of this team, but I am also aware that it is a complicated moment and I want to thank all of you for what you are achieving”, concludes Phil Spencer.
The global situation is also starting to influence the giants of the industry, which are consequently forced to make such unpopular choices that are not taken lightly. The layoffs of Microsoft and Xbox, as well as those of Google, are proof of this. Needless to say, ex-Microsoft staff could quickly find a new home, in an industry that is still so in demand. Both Bungie, former Halo software housethat Bluepoint Games have offered jobs to ex-members of 343 Industries.
Source: my city
