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New data suggests layoffs will affect 14,259 people by the end of 2026, up 78% from first forecast of the year
GamesIndustry.biz • • technology
Key Points:
- The ASGC Games Industry Layoffs Tracker now predicts 14,259 job losses in 2026, a 78% increase from the initial forecast of 8,025 layoffs made in January.
- Layoffs have accelerated rapidly, with the latest update on July 26 showing 9,781 layoffs already, up from 13,878 projected on July 10.
- North America accounts for 66% of layoffs, with the United States and Canada representing 48% and 17% respectively, while Europe accounts for 30%, making up 95% of all layoffs combined.
- The increase follows major layoffs at Xbox studios, including 1,600 employees affected across Obsidian, Bethesda, Id Software, and Zenimax Online Studios.
- Total projected layoffs over the next five years could approach 60,000, with uncertainty around the timing of Microsoft's remaining cuts possibly extending into 2027.
