Layoffs
Ongoing coverage on Layoffs.
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Blizzard is now reportedly Microsoft's top studio, according to leaked email
A leaked email reveals that Blizzard Entertainment was Microsoft's top-performing studio within the Xbox division for fiscal year 2026, driven by strong revenue from Diablo 4 and Overwatch. Despite industry-wide layoffs and ongoing protests, Blizzard achieved significant growth, with Overwatch experiencing its best quarter since 2022. The company is reportedly preparing for Blizzcon 2026 with potential new game announcements.
Blizzard Had Its Third-Best Year Ever as Xbox Struggled
Blizzard Entertainment achieved its third-best year in 2026, driven by the success of Overwatch and Diablo 4. This contrasts with Xbox's struggles, which were marked by significant layoffs and an ongoing restructuring.
Crossfire Developer Lays Off 14 Employees After High-Profile Reveal – Rumor
That's No Moon, the studio developing a new third-person shooter based on Smilegate's Crossfire IP, has reportedly laid off 14 employees. This news follows the game's recent trailer debut at Summer Game Fest. The studio has not officially confirmed the layoffs, which come amid a wave of similar workforce reductions at other gaming companies.
'They Fundamentally Don't Understand Art' — Doom Dev Blasts Xbox After Microsoft 'Gutted' id Software With Layoffs
id Software lead services programmer Chris Hays criticized Xbox and Microsoft following recent layoffs at the studio, stating they "fundamentally don't understand art." The comments highlight ongoing tensions and concerns within the company after significant workforce reductions.
Bethesda 40th anniversary sale knocks 50% off Doom: The Dark Ages - Revelations just a month after launch
Bethesda is celebrating its 40th anniversary with a major sale on Steam, featuring discounts of up to 67% on many of its titles, including subsidiaries id Software and Arkane Studios. Notably, the recently released Doom: The Dark Ages - Revelations expansion is 50% off, just one month after its launch. This sale occurs amidst recent layoffs at Bethesda Game Studios, Zenimax Online, and id Software, and concerns about Arkane Studios' future following Microsoft's acquisition.
Two months after revealing Crossfire, That's No Moon have seemingly laid off 14 members of staff
Two months after revealing their upcoming cinematic military shooter Crossfire, That's No Moon has reportedly laid off 14 staff members. The studio, formed by former Naughty Dog and Infinity Ward developers, has not yet released a game. This news comes despite the recent announcement of Crossfire and the lack of a release date, raising questions about the studio's stability.
Comings and Goings
The gaming website The Verge, sponsored by Walmart, has laid off its editorial staff. The specific reasons for the layoffs were not immediately disclosed.
Doom developer slams Xbox after layoffs hit id Software: "They fundamentally don't understand art. They…
A lead services programmer at id Software, Chris Hays, criticized Xbox's management following significant layoffs at the Doom developer, stating they do not understand art or games. Hays expressed concern about the studio's ability to create games of similar scope with a reduced workforce, questioning how essential departments will be maintained. Despite these concerns, Doom: The Dark Ages director Hugo Martin refuted claims that the studio is in no shape to make games.
Tencent's cyberpunk rival to Grand Theft Auto is in trouble as its developer lays off 80 people
Tencent's ambitious cyberpunk open-world game, Last Sentinel, is reportedly in trouble as developer Lightspeed LA has laid off 80 employees. Publisher Tencent has lost confidence in the project, which has been in development for six years and faced multiple delays and reboots. While not officially cancelled, Lightspeed LA is now working on the game without Tencent's backing and plans to shift its creative direction.
Issues and Activism
Necrosoft Games is hosting a charity bundle that is nearing its $200,000 goal to support workers affected by recent layoffs in the gaming industry. The initiative aims to provide financial assistance to those impacted by job losses.
Comings and Goings
Developer That's No Moon, known for the Crossfire franchise, has experienced layoffs. Separately, former Icelandic minister Áslaug Arna Sigurbjörnsdóttir has joined Fenris Creations to lead new AI partnerships.
Charity bundle hosted by Necrosoft Games nears $200,000 goal to support workers affected by layoffs
A charity bundle hosted by Necrosoft Games on Itch.io, offering 127 titles for $10, is nearing its $200,000 goal to support workers affected by recent layoffs in the US and Canada. The proceeds will go to a hardship fund established by the United Videogame Workers (UVW-CWA) union, which provides financial assistance for work-related or personal expenses, regardless of union membership.
EA taken private by Saudi Arabia, GTA marketing jumps the shark, and Devolver's huge mistake - Patch Notes #64
Electronic Arts has been taken private by an investor consortium led by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund for $55 billion. Devolver Digital is seeking to delist from the London Stock Exchange due to the incompatibility of short-term investor demands with the volatile video game industry. Additionally, the next trailer for Grand Theft Auto VI will premiere exclusively on Netflix before a wider release.
Halo Studios Has No Planned Layoffs, is Letting Go of Contractors – Rumor
Halo Studios has clarified that recent departures are limited to external contractors hired for Halo: Campaign Evolved, with no planned layoffs for internal staff. Industry analyst Rhys Elliot noted that the game's PlayStation 5 sales were lower than anticipated, selling only 351,000 copies in its launch month and being outsold by older Call of Duty titles.
Layoffs Hit Staff at Crossfire Developer That’s No Moon
That's No Moon, the developer behind the game Crossfire, has conducted an unspecified number of layoffs. This event marks another instance of workforce reductions within the gaming industry.
Halo Studios hit by Xbox layoffs despite Campaign Evolved’s strong reception
Halo Studios has experienced layoffs despite the strong critical reception of its recent release, Halo: Campaign Evolved. Several employees, including producer Nick Treitman and scrum master Paul Morris, confirmed their departures via LinkedIn. This news comes as part of broader workforce reductions at Xbox, which previously announced plans to cut over 3,200 jobs across its studios.
Comings and Goings
343 Industries, the developer behind the Halo franchise, has experienced significant layoffs following the release of Halo: Campaign Evolved. The exact number of employees affected has not been disclosed, but the studio has undergone a restructuring.
The video games industry is in the hands of monsters and EA is the latest victim
Electronic Arts has been taken private in a $20 billion deal involving debt financed by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund, a move criticized for its potential negative impact on customers and employees. This acquisition highlights a trend of consolidation in the video game industry, driven by short-term profit motives and leading to job losses and a narrowing focus on profitable franchises like EA Sports FC and Madden NFL.
Halo Studios jettisons long-serving contractors after launch of Halo: Campaign Evolved
Halo Studios has eliminated an unknown number of contract roles following the launch of Halo: Campaign Evolved. Several long-serving contractors have been let go, though no full-time employees were affected. This follows Microsoft's broader decision to cut 3,200 roles across its Xbox division.
Halo Studios seemingly cut staff after Halo: Campaign Evolved launch, including a 6-year veteran producer
Halo Studios has reportedly let go of an unspecified number of contract workers following the launch of Halo: Campaign Evolved. Producers Nick Treitman and Paul Morris confirmed their departures on LinkedIn, citing the challenging current job market in the gaming industry. This follows earlier layoffs at Microsoft, which impacted several of its studios.
