Xbox Lays Off FanFest Creator Three Months After Bringing It Back
Key Points:
- Chris Munson, who created Xbox FanFest and had been with Microsoft since 2010, was laid off in the company's recent cuts affecting 1,600 employees.
- Munson played a key role in marketing major Xbox franchises and events, contributing significantly to fan engagement and revenue over nearly 16 years.
- Xbox FanFest, launched in 2015 to connect fans directly with Xbox leadership and exclusive previews, was revived earlier this year for Xbox's 25th anniversary.
- New Xbox CEO Asha Sharma highlighted the importance of Xbox FanFest to the community and supported its return as a way to honor long-time players.
- Despite the layoff, Munson expressed optimism about continuing to create value in gaming and culture, signaling his intent to pursue new opportunities.