Layoffs
Ongoing coverage on Layoffs.
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IO Interactive Shuts Down Istanbul Studio After Project Fantasy Deal With Xbox Falls Through
IO Interactive has announced the closure of its Istanbul studio and layoffs due to the collapse of a funding deal with an external partner for Project Fantasy. The studio has regained full ownership of Project Fantasy and plans to continue its development independently. This decision was made to ensure the long-term survival of IO Interactive as an independent AAA developer and publisher.
The Elder Scrolls Online’s Former Content Designer Says The Team “Deserved Much Better”
Former content designer Andrew Young expressed disappointment over recent layoffs at Zenimax Online Studios, stating the team deserved better and that the studio may not have enough staff left to maintain its content roadmap. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma confirmed widespread layoffs across the division, with more planned, while announcing leadership changes within the Xbox division.
id Software Suffers 90 Layoffs, “Most (If Not All) Coders” and QA Department Let Go – Rumor
id Software has reportedly laid off 90 employees, approximately 50% of its staff, including its entire QA department. This move is part of Xbox's broader "reset" plan, which has already led to significant job cuts across its gaming divisions. The layoffs come shortly after the release of DOOM: The Dark Ages' expansion, Revelations, for PC and current-generation consoles.
Xbox layoffs hit accessibility leadership, calling into question Microsoft's continued commitment to accessibility…
Microsoft's Xbox division has undergone significant layoffs, impacting leadership roles in accessibility and raising concerns about the company's commitment to inclusive gaming initiatives. Despite assurances from Microsoft that accessibility remains a priority, the departure of key personnel involved in projects like the Xbox Adaptive Controller and accessibility training programs casts doubt on future efforts.
Destiny 2 isn't fully dead yet: community manager says the devs who weren't laid off are still working on "maintenance/upkeep" and "a small fix could sneak in here or there"
Despite significant layoffs at Bungie and the end of new content for Destiny 2, the game will continue to receive server maintenance and occasional hotfixes for critical issues. A community manager confirmed that while major updates are finished, the team will still address game crashes and perform upkeep, with the possibility of small fixes being implemented.
Bernie Sanders is mad about the Xbox layoffs
US Senator Bernie Sanders has criticized Microsoft and Xbox following recent layoffs, highlighting the company's significant profits and executive compensation. Sanders argued that corporate tax breaks do not create jobs and that the layoffs, coupled with a price increase for Xbox, demonstrate a flawed economic system. The article also references Sanders' past criticism of Bobby Kotick and the FTC's opposition to Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard.
Some Of The Most Impressive Gaming Tech Ever Wasn’t Enough To Save Devs From Xbox Cuts
Microsoft's recent layoffs at id Software have raised concerns about the future of its proprietary id Tech engine, with reports indicating a significant portion of the studio's coding talent was let go. This follows a trend of major studios, including 343 Industries and potentially MachineGames, moving away from internal engines towards Unreal Engine, potentially hindering technological innovation in the gaming industry.
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma points the finger at Phil Spencer's strategy for yesterday's sweeping layoffs: 'We…
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has attributed recent sweeping layoffs and studio spinoffs to the previous strategy under Phil Spencer, stating that "we spread ourselves too thin" by making too many bets and not focusing on the core business. Sharma believes a return to a more conventional, console-focused approach is necessary for Xbox's health, despite rising hardware costs and potential customer debt from new financing models.
Doom developer id Software is reportedly losing half its staff
Developer id Software, known for the Doom franchise, is reportedly experiencing significant staff reductions, with approximately half of its employees leaving. This news comes amid broader organizational changes within Xbox.
After Xbox Pulls Funding, Hitman Dev Is Closing A Studio And Laying People Off
IO Interactive is closing its Istanbul studio and laying off staff after Xbox withdrew funding for its upcoming RPG, Project Fantasy. The studio has regained full ownership of the project and its IP, but these cuts were deemed necessary for the company's long-term future and to focus on its core internal titles.
Id Software veteran of over 20 years absolutely rips and tears into Microsoft after devastating layoffs: "XBOX decided half the team was no longer needed"
Long-time id Software developer Michael Maynard expressed his anger and sadness following significant layoffs at the studio, which he states impacted roughly half the team. Maynard, who had been with id Software for over 20 years, criticized Microsoft and Xbox for the decision, highlighting the loss of institutional knowledge and the impact on the studio's legacy. The article also briefly mentions Sony and Bungie's recent workforce reductions and John Romero's support for the affected developers.
'These are hard, but necessary decisions' — Xbox pulled funding for Io Interactive's 'Project Fantasy' but the developer will continue working on the game independently
IO Interactive has regained full ownership of its online fantasy RPG, Project Fantasy, after Xbox withdrew its funding. The developer will continue to fund and develop the game independently, but will close its Istanbul studio and lay off an unconfirmed number of employees. This decision comes amidst broader restructuring and layoffs at Microsoft.
John Romero has a private collection of "critically important" id Software history "including materials and assets that, as far as I know, id itself no longer has"
Following major layoffs at id Software under Microsoft's Xbox division, co-founder John Romero highlighted the critical importance of preserving the studio's history. Romero revealed he has personally archived significant early materials from id Software that the company may no longer possess. The article also touches on the impact of the layoffs on id Software's development teams and the broader discussion of game preservation.
Doom dev id Software loses half its staff and all its coders in Xbox bloodbath
id Software, the studio behind the Doom franchise, has reportedly lost approximately half of its staff, including most of its coders, in recent Xbox layoffs. This significant reduction in workforce has led to concerns about the studio's ability to continue developing its proprietary technology and future titles. Co-founder John Romero expressed concern for the preservation of id Software's legacy amidst these drastic cuts.
Bethesda Tells Workers The Company Needs To “Change Course” And Focus On Games With “Greatest Potential”
Bethesda is undergoing a significant shift in strategy following recent layoffs at Microsoft's Xbox division. Company boss Jill Braff informed staff that Bethesda must 'change course' and focus on franchises with the 'greatest potential,' including The Elder Scrolls and Fallout, to ensure sustainable growth and continued investment in its games and players.
Out of the Blue
The author expresses shock at the recent layoffs initiated by Microsoft within the gaming division. Despite prior warnings, the scale of the job cuts was more dramatic than anticipated, impacting the broader gaming industry.
Xbox Layoffs Included 37-Year Veteran Who Designed One Of Xbox’s Best Features Ever
Microsoft's recent layoffs at Xbox have impacted 1,600 employees, including 37-year veteran Kevin LaChapelle, who was instrumental in developing the popular backwards compatibility feature for Xbox consoles. The company is also divesting several studios as part of a broader restructuring, with some strategic bets like Xbox Game Pass not meeting expectations.
IO Interactive regains full ownership of Project Fantasy following end of Xbox deal, shuts down Istanbul studio and lays off developers "to find a new balance"
IO Interactive has regained full ownership and control of its upcoming game Project Fantasy following the end of a publishing and funding deal with Xbox. To find a new balance for the studio's long-term future, IO Interactive is closing its Istanbul studio, laying off developers, and refocusing on internal core titles rather than external projects or mobile derivatives.
Xbox’s New Plan After Brutal Cuts: Focus On The Thing Called Xbox
Following significant layoffs, Xbox is refocusing its strategy on its core business, including its flagship console hardware and major IPs like Minecraft. This shift aims to address issues like spreading resources too thin and declining hardware revenue, despite industry-wide cost increases and component shortages. The restructuring also involves making some studios independent or selling them off.
Obsidian Hit Hard By Xbox Layoffs, With 25% Of Devs Cut From Studio
Obsidian Entertainment has been significantly impacted by recent Xbox layoffs, with approximately 25% of its workforce, around 60-70 employees, being let go. The cuts affected various roles, including senior talent, art directors, and recruiters. Despite the reductions, work is expected to continue on Grounded 2 and planned DLC for The Outer Worlds 2.
