The $69 Billion Hangover: Every Xbox Layoff Since The Activision Blizzard Merger

Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard for $68.7 billion has been followed by significant layoffs and studio closures within its Xbox division. These cuts, described by Xbox CEO Asha Sharma as a "reset" due to an unhealthy business, have impacted thousands of employees and led to the cancellation of several game projects across various studios since January 2024.

▸ entities in this article

GAME Redfall
COMPANY Microsoft
COMPANY Blizzard Entertainment
COMPANY High Moon Studios
PLATFORM Xbox
COMPANY Ninja Theory
GAME Halo
COMPANY Sledgehammer Games
COMPANY Romero Studios
COMPANY Alpha Dog Games
GAME Hi-Fi Rush
COMPANY The Initiative
COMPANY Compulsion Games
GAME PUBG

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10 articles · 8 sources 13 days ago

Xbox Studios Face Massive Layoffs Amid Restructuring

Xbox is reportedly preparing for the largest single layoff event in gaming history. Multiple studios, including Ninja Theory and Double Fine, are expected to be impacted. Developers feel they are being punished for following previous company directives.

COMPANY Xbox
COMPANY Microsoft
COMPANY Compulsion Games

Sources covering this · 8

Saturday MultiplexJournalist Jason Schreier discusses the most difficult aspect of the recent Xbox layoffs. The article focuses on the human impact of these workforce reductions within the gaming industry. Blues News · 2 days ago
Can a top-down, focused software strategy save Xbox? | OpinionXbox has undergone significant layoffs and studio closures, impacting 20% of its workforce and five internal studios, including Compulsion Games and Double Fine. This strategic shift, led by Asha Sharma, aims to address financial issues and improve first-party development, though the article questions the effectiveness of these measures and criticizes the company's past spending and treatment of developers. Games Industry · 4 days ago
Opinion: Welcome to the house of pain, brought to you by XboxXbox is facing significant layoffs and studio closures despite massive investments in mergers and acquisitions, including the $70 billion purchase of Activision Blizzard King. CEO Asha Sharma cited a failure to meet growth expectations for Game Pass and multi-platform strategies as reasons for the 'reset,' which has resulted in over 7,000 job cuts across the company since January 2024, with more planned. Gamedeveloper.com · 6 days ago

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