Topics
Latest
AI
Amazon
Image Credits:NurPhoto(opens in a new window)/ Getty Images
Apps
Biotech & Health
Climate
Cloud Computing
Commerce
Crypto
endeavor
EVs
Fintech
Fundraising
gadget
Gaming
Government & Policy
ironware
layoff
Media & Entertainment
Meta
Microsoft
Privacy
Robotics
protection
Social
Space
Startups
TikTok
Transportation
speculation
More from TechCrunch
event
Startup Battlefield
StrictlyVC
Podcasts
video
Partner Content
TechCrunch Brand Studio
Crunchboard
get through Us
Three months after completing its$68.7 billion acquisitionof gambling company Activision Blizzard , Microsoft is put off 1,900 employees in its gaming divisions . This amount to about 8.6 % of 22,000 Microsoft employee in play . Blizzard president Mike Ybarra also announced he will step down , now that the acquisition is finalized .
“ I want to thank everyone who is impacted today for their meaningful contributions to their teams , to Blizzard , and to players ’ lives , ” Ybarrasaid on X. “ It ’s an implausibly hard day and my muscularity and support will be focused on all those awing mortal touch on — this is in no way a expression on your amazing work . ”
According to aninternal memofrom Microsoft Gaming chief executive officer Phil Spencer , first receive by The Verge , the layoff are part of “ an execution plan with a sustainable monetary value structure ” that “ discover expanse of overlap ” after the acquisition . Microsoft confirmed the legitimacy of The Verge ’s report memo in an electronic mail to TechCrunch .
“ We will furnish our full support to those who are affect during the transition , including falling out benefit informed by local employment jurisprudence , ” Spencer ’s memo study . “ Those whose roles will be affect will be notified , and we ask that you please treat your sidetrack colleagues with the deference and compassion that is ordered with our values . ”
In just a few week , this year has already proven brutal for the gaming industry . So far , League of Legends makerRiot Gameslaid off 530 employees ; plot engine Unity laid off 1,800 people ( 25 % of the company);Discordcut 170 Job ( 17 % ) ; and Amazon - ownedTwitchlaid off 500 hoi polloi ( 35 % ) , after it already position off century of employees in two layoff rounds last twelvemonth .
grant to secret plan developer and advisor Rami Ismail , about 5,600 gaming employees have been lay off so far in 2024 . That ’s more than half of all gaming layoff from 2023 .
I just flow the numbers .
Join us at TechCrunch Sessions: AI
Exhibit at TechCrunch Sessions: AI
With todays ' Activision - Blizzard / Microsoft layoffs add , in just 25 days of 2024 we ’re already at over HALFWAY to the total layoffs of ALL OF 2023 ( 5,600 versus 10,500)pic.twitter.com / UlN578M60Z
— Rami Ismail / رامي ( @tha_rami)January 25 , 2024
The rest of the tech industry has n’t been spare either , with fellowship like Google , Amazon , TikTok and others ca-ca cuts . But , per information from technical school layoffs in 2023 , it seems January is themost brutal monthfor layoffs .
Over the last few twelvemonth , a few department withinMicrosoftandActivisionhave formed some of the first gambling join in the country .
