AI Generated Image
Microsoft Layoffs Hit Bethesda, Obsidian, And Id Hard As Workers Brace For More
Aftermath • • general
Key Points:
- Microsoft has laid off 1,600 employees from its games division, matching last year's cuts, with plans for an additional 1,600 layoffs over the coming year, impacting studios including Zenimax, Bethesda Game Studios, id Software, Obsidian, and Activision.
- Several studios have been severely affected, with significant team reductions at Zenimax and Bethesda Game Studios, where over 50 employees publicly announced job losses, and Obsidian also facing substantial cuts across experience levels.
- Despite union presence at Zenimax’s QA department, Zenimax Online Studios, and Bethesda Game Studios, unionized workers were not spared this time, with multiple organizers and members laid off.
- The Bethesda Games Studios union criticized Microsoft’s repeated layoffs, emphasizing ongoing struggles and the need for stronger severance and support for affected workers.
- Remaining employees face uncertainty and increased workloads amid ongoing cuts, with no clear timeline for the additional 1,600 planned layoffs, causing significant stress and concern within the gaming workforce.
