Xbox Employees Confused About The Company’s Strategy After Recent Layoffs

See full bio

Abdullah Waseem

At T4G, my task is to cover the latest news around the gaming globe ASAP and with the utmost precision. I adore all the games and respect all the devs behind the amazing games that we get all year. So, whether it’s a PC or a Console game, I got it all covered. 

See full bio

Xbox just experienced another round of layoffs that saw the company reducing its workforce by 650 more people. This takes the overall number of laid-off employees to 2,500. The remaining Xbox staff is confused about the company’s strategy. 

Why it matters: Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard was supposed to be a massive breakthrough. However, the company has had a rough time ever since, sacrificing many employees and studios. 

According to Tom Warren of The Verge, he talked to several Xbox employees, and the morale at the company is very low. The layoffs have had a great impact on them, and they are now confused about Microsoft’s strategy. 

Phil Spencer was recently asked about the layoffs and studio closures. Defending his decision, he said that the one on the top often has to make hard decisions. And that he has to sustain and grow a business. 

Yes, no company would make layoffs for fun, but Microsoft should be more clear with its approach. The remaining employees at the company aren’t even sure what will happen to them. What if there’s another round, and they get laid off, too? 

Nonetheless, Microsoft isn’t the only one doing this. In this time of high-budget games and failing stocks, other companies such as PlayStation, Ubisoft, and Rocksteady have had to follow the same path. 

But the uncertainty in the industry is undoubtedly the highest it has ever been. A previous report even suggested that many developers are leaving the industry altogether to work in different fields. 

Abdullah Waseem

News Reporter

Abdullah is an avid gamer who primarily plays single-player titles. If you can’t find him anywhere, he’ll probably be at his desk playing The Witcher 3 for the millionth time. When he isn’t playing games, he’s either reading or writing about them.