Key Takeaways
1. Upcoming reductions in the Xbox Gaming division may affect up to 2000 jobs by the end of June.
2. George Broussard estimates that 10-20% of Xbox Gaming staff could be at risk, while other sources suggest cuts may be less than 10%.
3. The future of Xbox games is uncertain, with hints that Turn 10 Studios could be in jeopardy, despite the success of Forza Horizon 5.
4. Anxiety is growing among developers at Xbox Studios in the UK, with concerns about job security.
5. These potential job cuts follow a previous layoff of 1900 jobs in January 2024, which were related to Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard.
There are many news reports about upcoming reductions in the Xbox Gaming division. Gamers are starting to understand the extent of these changes, which could kick off by the end of June. George Broussard, the person behind the Duke Nukem franchise, indicates that up to 2000 jobs at Microsoft might be at risk. Some studios could be completely closed, and the teams behind Forza Horizon and Forza Motorsport might also face difficulties.
Job Losses Could Be High
Broussard shared on social media that the potential job cuts might be larger than people thought. He believes that about 10-20% of the Xbox Gaming staff could be in danger. Even though other sources say the cuts might be lower than 10%, the gaming industry is bracing for another big shift.
Future of Xbox Games in Question
Fans are naturally curious about which developers might close and how this could affect future Xbox titles. Tom Warren from The Verge is one of the first to provide hints, mentioning that Turn 10 Studios could be in jeopardy. Given how popular Forza Horizon 5 is, it seems unlikely that this studio would shut down. However, Forza Motorsport hasn’t been as successful after some complaints about its technical problems and a lack of content.
Anxiety Among Developers
Even if Turn 10 manages to stay afloat, other studios might not be as fortunate. Andy Robinson, the Editor-in-Chief at Video Games Chronicle, has noted that there is worry among Xbox Studios in the UK. This area is home to well-known developers like Rare and Playground Games.
Microsoft’s planned job cuts are not the first significant layoffs tied to Xbox. Back in January 2024, the company announced a reduction of 1900 jobs. However, those layoffs were mainly due to Microsoft acquiring Activision Blizzard. As Xbox Gaming focuses less on current consoles, the upcoming job losses could impact a broader range of developers.
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