Heaptalk, Jakarta — Microsoft is reportedly to terminate about 1,900 roles, approximately 9% out of the 22,000 people on its team in gaming division, including Activision Blizzard, Xbox, and ZeniMax this week. This employee’s termination is the impact of Microsoft’s acquisition of the gaming company Activision Blizzard.
As the company move forward in 2024, Microsoft Gaming CEO, Phil Spencer, voiced that the leadership of Microsoft Gaming and Activision Blizzard aimed to aligning a strategy and an execution plan with sustainable cost structure that will bolster the whole of its growing business.
“As a part of this process, we have made the painful decision to reduce the size of our gaming employees by approximately 1,900 roles.” Spencer said in the memo.
Bill Gates’s tech company will grant full support to those who are impacted during the transition, including severance benefits following the local employment laws. Looking ahead, Microsoft will continue to invest in areas that will boost its business and support its strategy of bringing more games to more players worldwide.
“We are grateful for all of the creativity, passion and dedication they have brought to our games, players and colleagues Those whose roles will be impacted will be notified, and we ask that you please treat your departing colleagues with respect and compassion consistent with our values. Although this announcement is a terrible moment for our team, I am as confident as ever in your ability to create and nurture the games, stories, and worlds that unite players.” Phil conveyed.
Guardian reported that Microsoft completed its US$69 billion for Activision Blizzard in October to boost its video-game market with best-selling titles, including Call of Duty, to better compete with other industry leaders.
Along with this restructuring move, Blizzard President Mike Ybarra and Blizzard’s Design Chief Allen Adham decided to step down. The company also plans to name a new Blizzard President next week. Blizzard’s previously announced survival game has also been canceled due to these changes.
“Microsoft will shift some of the people working on it to one of several promising new projects Blizzard has in the early stages of development,” said Microsoft’s game content and studios President, Matt Booty, cited in the Verge.
