Tyler Cross
Published on: January 26, 2024
Activision Blizzard laid off 1,900 employees at the behest of its parent company, Microsoft.
The move isn’t a complete surprise — over the last several months many major tech companies have been forced to make layoffs. The job market saw several years of rapid increases in wages and hiring, but the bubble has largely popped. Other major companies like Alphabet, eBay, and even Amazon had waves of layoffs.
Microsoft recently acquired Activision Blizzard in a divisive $69 billion deal that had some critics claiming it was acting like a monopoly. Now it’s slashing jobs at the newly purchased company.
“In all, 1,900 employees are being cut, the bulk of which are from Activision Blizzard, less so from Xbox and Zenimax/Bethesda,” writes Forbes.
The news comes from an internal memo written by Phil Spencer, head of Xbox. To the many who are outraged at the massive layoffs, the memo only adds fuel to the fire. Critics say the language used comes off as dispassionate and purely profit-driven.
“The leadership of Microsoft Gaming and Activision Blizzard is committed to aligning on a strategy and an execution plan with a sustainable cost structure that will support the whole of our growing business,” said Spencer, explaining that the layoffs are indeed being made to save money.
Another passage from the memo has drawn some criticism from social media users.
“We will provide our full support to those who are impacted during the transition, including severance benefits informed by local employment laws.” Some argue this simply means the company will only provide the bare minimum local employment laws grant — though it is simply speculation.
Regardless of whether or not it’s palatable, the continued wave of layoffs by major tech companies is most likely going to continue, making for a cutthroat job market.
- SEO Powered Content & PR Distribution. Get Amplified Today.
- PlatoData.Network Vertical Generative Ai. Empower Yourself. Access Here.
- PlatoAiStream. Web3 Intelligence. Knowledge Amplified. Access Here.
- PlatoESG. Carbon, CleanTech, Energy, Environment, Solar, Waste Management. Access Here.
- PlatoHealth. Biotech and Clinical Trials Intelligence. Access Here.
- Source: https://www.safetydetectives.com/news/activision-blizzard-lays-off-1900-video-gaming-employees/
