If you’re even remotely connected to the video game world, you’ve likely heard the shocking news about Microsoft’s latest mass layoff, which saw over 9,000 employees let go.
Among those affected were key figures from the Xbox and gaming divisions, and it’s been a rough ride for everyone involved.
One of the most emotional stories comes from ZeniMax Media, where several developers, both current and former, spoke out about how poorly the layoff process was handled. The lack of communication, transparency, and respect left many employees feeling blindsided and devalued. Some were suddenly locked out of their work accounts, with no warning, and left waiting for hours without any explanation. For a company of Microsoft’s stature, this lack of empathy was truly shocking.
Page Branson, a member of the ZWU-CWA union, described the chaos surrounding the layoffs, with staff members unsure if they still had jobs, or whether the cuts were even over. What struck Branson and others the most was that some of the laid-off employees were absolutely essential to ongoing projects like ‘The Elder Scrolls Online.’ The severance of these long-term, integral team members has had devastating effects on the studio’s morale and workflow.
Autumn Mitchell, a senior QA developer and also part of the ZWU-CWA union, shared her anger over the whole situation. “It’s inhumane,” she said. “The process is broken, and it’s not normal, no matter how many times they try to make it sound respectful.” Mitchell further emphasized how employees who had worked for the company for 15 years were dismissed, with little more than a rushed goodbye message on Slack. “It’s disgusting,” she added. This sentiment is echoed by many of the laid-off employees, who feel like they’ve been treated as expendable numbers rather than valued contributors to the company’s success.
The long-term consequences of such layoffs are far-reaching. ZeniMax Media’s developers now face a significant loss of institutional knowledge, with an estimated third of their expertise gone overnight. The remaining employees are left scrambling to fill the gaps, but without the expertise of those who were let go, it’s unclear how they will continue to produce high-quality games. The blow to morale is profound, and the company now faces the daunting task of rebuilding without its core team.
These mass layoffs are a painful reminder that big corporations, in their quest for short-term financial gains, can sometimes destroy the very essence of what makes them successful. By cutting these integral team members, Microsoft risks not only its reputation but the very future of its gaming division.