Microsoft has laid off hundreds of employees across its divisions, including Xbox. Last July, the industry giant announced layoffs for structural adjustment and said the layoffs were less than one percent of the workforce. Microsoft currently has over 180.000 employees around the world.
Related: Xbox Game Pass has earned over $2.9 billion on console alone
According to the sources, divisions affected by the layoff include Xbox, Microsoft Strategic Missions, and Technology departments. Company veterans took their share from the layoffs. Director of Test Greg Chapman and Product Manager KC Lemson were among the staff laid off.
Studio Alpha is currently the only division that has been shut down completely.
A spokesperson from Microsoft said “Like all companies, we evaluate our business priorities on a regular basis, and make structural adjustments accordingly. We will continue to invest in our business and hire in key growth areas in the year ahead.” 2022 has seen many companies taking the same route as Microsoft, laying off employees and even shutting down studios.
Microsoft has been very busy in last couple of weeks as EU, UK and Brazillian regulators investigate the $68.7 billion Microsoft – Activision Blizzard acquisition. Brazillian regulators have approved the deal and decided that Sony and other industry giants could compete with Microsoft.
EU regulators turned to game developer insights about the acqusition and will declare the verdict in November 2022. UK will inspect the Activision Blizzard deal until March 2023
