Emmanuel OchayiMicrosoft Corporation is set to lay off 1,900 workers within its video game divisions, signaling a turbulent period for its newly acquired subsidiary, Activision Blizzard.
Phil Spencer, Microsoft’s gaming chief, disclosed in an email that these cuts account for about 8 per cent of the conglomerate’s 22,000 gaming workforce, positioning it as a downsizing measure.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelExpressing solidarity with those affected, Mike Ybarra, President of Blizzard, acknowledged the hardships faced by employees, stating, “To all of those impacted today – I am always available to you and understand how challenging today’s news is. My heart is with each one of you.”
Ybarra, himself impacted by the layoffs, conveyed gratitude to the departing individuals and offered support in a heartfelt message upon his exit.
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This move by Microsoft echoes a broader trend in the tech industry, with over 60 companies, including Amazon.com Inc. and Alphabet Inc., shedding nearly 11,000 jobs in 2024, as reported by Layoffs.fyi. Google’s CEO, Sundar Pichai, recently forewarned further job cuts within the company, emphasizing the need for streamlining operations.
He noted that this year’s layoffs aimed at “removing layers to simplify execution and drive velocity in some areas,” underscoring a broader industry shift towards operational efficiency and cost-cutting.
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As tech giants grapple with the evolving landscape, Microsoft’s decision to cut jobs and its ripple effect across the industry reflect the ongoing challenges faced by the tech workforce in 2024.
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