Layoffs
Ongoing coverage on Layoffs.
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Elder Scrolls 6 faces delays as Microsoft lays off people that were making it
Bethesda Game Studios employees are concerned that The Elder Scrolls 6 may face significant delays following recent layoffs impacting over 50 staff members, including a 27-year veteran. These cuts, part of broader Xbox layoffs, have raised fears about project timelines, potential reliance on contract labor, and a decline in studio morale, especially after the reception of Starfield.
"We are the best allies to game devs": Skyrim modder shows solidarity with laid off Bethesda workers by draping union logos across Tamriel
A Skyrim modder named Elianora has created a mod called 'United Front' to show solidarity with recently laid-off Bethesda workers. The mod adds union logos to shields and banners within the game, encouraging players to raise awareness for the 'Save Our Devs March' organized by the OneBGS union. This action aims to send a message to Microsoft regarding the recent layoffs affecting Bethesda and other Xbox-owned studios.
'We mean business:' Xbox union workers fighting back with 'Save Our Devs' rally on July 15
Unionized workers at Bethesda Game Studios, under the OneBGS banner, are organizing a 'Save Our Devs' rally on July 15 to protest recent mass layoffs across Xbox and ZeniMax studios. The union aims to negotiate preferential transfers, stronger severance packages, and recall rights for affected employees, rejecting Microsoft's framing of the cuts as an 'entrepreneurial change'.
Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced developers facing layoffs
Ubisoft Barcelona is laying off 51 employees, including QA lead Isabel Codina García, at the end of July, following broader layoffs at Ubisoft last month. These cuts come despite the recent successful launch of Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced. A Spanish union has called for strikes to protest the layoffs and demand better job protections.
Assassin Creed Black Flag Resynced developers facing layoffs
Ubisoft Barcelona is laying off 51 employees, including QA lead Isabel Codina García, at the end of July, despite the successful launch of Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced. Spanish union La Confederación General del Trabajo has called for strikes to demand better job protections and the retention of laid-off workers. Anonymous employees cite a pattern of mistreatment and a top-down management culture contributing to these workforce reductions.
Layoffs begin at Ubisoft Barcelona following Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced launch
Ubisoft Barcelona has laid off 51 employees following the launch of Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced. The studio will now focus exclusively on the Rainbow Six franchise. This move is part of a larger restructuring effort by Ubisoft to save €200 million and improve game quality.
Evening Reading - July 9, 2026
This edition of Shacknews Evening Reading covers various gaming news and features, including reviews for Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag and Digimon Story, discussions on 2XKO and Guilty Gear Strive, and mentions of Microsoft's potential new Quake game. It also touches on industry layoffs and includes personal anecdotes and internet content.
Former MindsEye Studio Employees to Protest “All-Expenses-Paid Playtest Day”
Former employees of Build a Rocket Boy are planning a protest outside the studio's Edinburgh office regarding an "all-expenses-paid playtest day" for their Arcadia platform, occurring shortly after significant layoffs. The Independent Workers Union of Great Britain is organizing the protest, which aims to highlight the studio's decision to host a community event despite recent staff reductions.
Ubisoft Barcelona Faces Layoffs After Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced Launch
Ubisoft Barcelona is experiencing layoffs despite the successful launch of Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced. Several employees, including QA lead Isabel Codina García, have been affected by these redundancies. The studio proposed new Assassin's Creed projects, but Vantage Studios indicated no further mandates for the Barcelona location, leading to significant workforce reduction and employee protests.
Avowed 2 Has Not Been Cancelled Following Layoffs at Obsidian – Rumor
Despite recent layoffs at Obsidian Entertainment and rumors of cancellation, former co-founder Chris Avellone has stated that Avowed 2 is still in development and the studio hopes to "re-pitch" the concept. While some projects are being re-evaluated, expansions for The Outer Worlds 2 are still planned, and Grounded is continuing development.
id Software Now Has “Roughly the Same” Number of Workers as When it Made DOOM (2016) – Rumor
Reports suggest id Software's current workforce is similar to when it developed DOOM (2016), despite rumors of significant layoffs impacting its engine development and QA teams. Microsoft confirmed that dozens of employees work on the id Tech engine across multiple locations, refuting claims of a drastically reduced headcount. The studio will continue to use its proprietary id Tech engine, with no plans from Xbox to switch to Unreal Engine.
Quoteworthy
John Carmack commented on recent layoffs at id Software, expressing that his previous statement about Microsoft being a good steward of the brand is not holding up well. The article touches upon the significant job cuts impacting the studio.
Comings and Goings
GameSpot has experienced another round of layoffs, while Bethesda union workers are planning a protest against recent mass layoffs. These events highlight ongoing workforce reductions within the gaming industry.
Days after announcing mass layoffs, Xbox CEO Asha Sharma tapped to advise the Federal Reserve on jobs
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has been appointed to advise the Federal Reserve on job-related matters, just days after Xbox announced significant layoffs. This appointment highlights her expertise in employment trends and workforce dynamics.
John Carmack reacts to massive layoffs at id Software: 'My 'Microsoft will probably be a good steward of the…
Co-founder of id Software, John Carmack, has commented on the recent layoffs at the studio, expressing disappointment that his previous statement about Microsoft being a good steward of the brand "isn't aging well." While saddened, Carmack stated he doesn't "muster anger or outrage," suspecting id Software was a marginal business for Microsoft. He also discussed hypothetical strategies that could have prevented the team's decimation, while co-founder John Romero expressed grief for those affected.
Xbox layoff hatchetwoman & CEO tapped by Federal Reserve for 'jobs & productivity' task force
Asha Sharma, who recently oversaw layoffs of approximately 3,200 employees at Xbox, has been appointed as an advisor to a new Federal Reserve task force focused on jobs and productivity. Sharma, who has a background in artificial intelligence at Microsoft, will join other prominent figures to assess the economic impact of new technologies like AI.
Carmack says his 'Microsoft will be a good steward' of the id Software brand take didn't age well
Following significant layoffs at id Software amidst a broader Xbox reorganization, co-founder John Carmack expressed sadness and acknowledged that his previous statement about Microsoft being a good steward of the brand has not aged well. Carmack suspects id Software may have been a marginal business for Microsoft, contributing to the cuts despite recent releases like Doom: The Dark Ages.
Asha Sharma joins Federal Reserve advisory task force days after laying off thousands at Xbox
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has been appointed to a new US Federal Reserve task force focused on productivity and jobs, specifically examining the economic impact of artificial intelligence. This appointment follows Xbox's announcement of significant layoffs affecting thousands of employees and several game studios, including Double Fine and Ninja Theory.
Microsoft filing shows total ZeniMax layoffs at 379, with over half coming from Elder Scrolls Online studio that's lost at least 60% of its staff in the past year
Microsoft's acquisition of ZeniMax Media has resulted in significant layoffs, with a total of 379 employees affected across ZeniMax Online Studios and ZeniMax Media. ZeniMax Online Studios, the developer of The Elder Scrolls Online, has seen over half of its staff depart in the past year, reducing its workforce to approximately 40% of its previous size despite the game's consistent revenue.
Microsoft Reportedly Still Wants To Use id Tech After Gutting The Team Behind It
Despite significant layoffs that have gutted the team responsible for id Tech, Microsoft reportedly still intends to utilize the engine. The future of the id Tech engine's development and usage remains uncertain following the drastic reduction in staff at id Software.