Microsoft, according to several sources, is preparing to conduct a new major wave of layoffs in its Xbox gaming division. This could involve hundreds of job cuts and the reorganization of several studios, with Blizzard and Halo Studios being among the potentially affected companies this time.
According to The Information, Xbox intends to cut hundreds of employees as early as this week. At the same time, the company is reportedly going to merge or restructure several game studios. Which specific divisions will be affected and how many employees will lose their jobs is not yet known.
It is assumed that the changes may affect various Microsoft publishing structures, including Xbox Game Studios, Bethesda, Activision, and Blizzard. This new wave of layoffs will not be the first this year. In July, Xbox head Asha Sharma informed employees of plans to eliminate 1,600 jobs by the end of the fiscal year – roughly the same number of employees Microsoft had already cut that month. Judging by new reports, the second part of the cuts may begin very soon.
The most specific warnings are currently related to Blizzard. Bloomberg journalist Jason Schreier stated during the 8-4 Play podcast that layoffs at Blizzard are expected soon. This is particularly noteworthy because the studio avoided large-scale layoffs during the July wave. At that time, employees of ZeniMax Online and id Software, among others, were affected by the cuts.