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As the industry continues to deal with the fallout of mass layoffs, Xbox users have let their feelings be heard, criticising Microsoft for its treatment of employees and the impact that has on various projects.
There appears to be no end in sight. In the last day alone, Take-Two Interactive announced that it would be closing beloved studios Intercept Games and Roll7 amidst its laying off of 5% of its workforce.
Microsoft is in the midst of a similar process, laying off around 8% of its 22,000 employees. This means around 1,900 employees will be affected.
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It goes without saying that these layoffs are a huge blow to the industry. It’s been remarked many, many times by now that 2023 was a stellar year for video game releases.
It’s been a long time since we’ve had a year packed with so many fantastic GOTY contenders, and that’s only possible because of the talented developers who spend years pouring over these projects.
Developers are the life force of the industry and it's devastating to see so many left in such an unfathomable position.
In response to Microsoft’s layoffs, Xbox owners are letting their thoughts be heard as whilst Microsoft’s studios are nothing without their developers, so too is the Xbox brand nothing without the allegiance and loyalty of its user base.
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Avowed is set to launch on Xbox consoles later this year.
“A lack of growth should not mean they need to cull their workforce. That would be something you do when you have major losses. They're just trying to pursue those ever-increasing profits, everyone else be damned,” Reddit user GHOST_OF_THE_GODDESS declared.
“It astounds me that we built an economy that requires infinite growth to function even though infinite growth is impossible,” wrote a wise PrincessKnightAmber.
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Other remarks included, “I'll never understand how a billion dollar company can somehow not be capable of ponying up the resources to drive growth or even just maintain in unique ways in spite of challenges,” and, “Their (and many other corporations) lack of ability to withstand adverse conditions is very concerning and unsustainable.”
Our thoughts continue to go out to all those affected by the widespread industry layoffs.
Topics: Xbox, Microsoft, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X