Microsoft cuts 650 jobs in video game division.


Microsoft is cutting 650 jobs from its video game division, according to a company email seen by The Wall Street Journal on Thursday.

  • Microsoft Corp.
  • 12 September 2024 13:38:36
Microsoft Corporation

Source: Sharecast

The move follows 1,900 redundancies in May and comes at a time of massive layoffs across the gaming industry and companies contend with a tailing off of growth post-pandemic.

Microsoft has been steadily cutting gaming jobs since its $75bn takeover of videogame giant Activision Blizzard in October 2023, which added 10,000 to its overall headcount.

According to the internal memo, the job cuts are not a result of closures or cancellations to any games, devices or studios – unlike May's layoffs when three studios were closed – but are instead a result of a departmental reorganisation.

Phil Spencer, who heads up Microsoft Gaming, said in the email that the redundancies are part of a plan to "organised our business for long-term success", and mostly relate to people in corporate and support roles.

Microsoft's stock futures were more or less unchanged ahead of the opening bell on Wall Street.


Exchange: DJ Stock Exchange
Sell:
28,150.68
Buy:
28,268.46
Change: 627.08 ( 1.54 %)
Date:
Prices delayed by at least 15 minutes

Compare our accounts

If you're looking to grow your money over the longer term (5+ years), we have a range of investment choices to help.

Halifax is not responsible for the content and accuracy of the Markets News articles. We may not share the views of the author. Understand the risks, please remember the value of your investment can go down as well as up and you may not get back the full amount you invest. We don't provide advice so if you are in any doubt about buying and selling shares or making your own investment decisions we recommend you seek advice from a suitably qualified Financial Advisor. Past performance is not a guide to future performance.