Microsoft announces major restructuring, affecting Xbox and Activision Blizzard teams

by Arthur Herring
in *EN, News-PL, PC, Release, XBOX
on 25 stycznia 2024

Earlier today, Microsoft shocked the gaming industry by announcing significant job cuts in their Xbox and Activision Blizzard departments. With approximately 1,900 positions being eliminated, almost 10% of their gaming division is affected. This restructuring has taken a heavy toll on Blizzard, resulting in the resignation of their president, Mike Ybarra, and the cancellation of their highly-anticipated survival game, „Odyssey.”

However, recent information has shed light on the specific departments hit hardest by these layoffs, and the news is not promising for players who prefer physical copies of their games. According to Jez Corden of Windows Central, two departments that have been essentially „shut down” are the teams responsible for bringing Xbox games to physical retail and providing customer service for Activision Blizzard. Furthermore, community managers have been significantly affected by the job cuts.

Microsoft’s decision to outsource customer support for Activision Blizzard’s games to external companies abroad comes as a surprise, as ABK was known for having a high-quality internal support team. In addition, the shutting down of departments dedicated to physical retail suggests that Microsoft may be heading towards a digital-only future, as hinted by leaks of the all-digital Xbox console last year.

It’s important to approach this information with caution, although Jez Corden has a reliable track record when it comes to Microsoft and Xbox news. While the closure of the Xbox physical release department does not necessarily mean an immediate end to boxed games, the possibility of outsourcing the work raises questions about Microsoft’s long-term plans for physical copies. Recent and upcoming releases, such as „Hi-Fi Rush” and „Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II,” being exclusively digital further fuels speculation.

This major restructuring by Microsoft has sparked debates among gamers regarding the company’s intentions. Are these moves justified, or have they lost sight of their vision? Only time will tell how these changes will affect the gaming experience for Xbox players and the future of physical copies in the industry.

FAQ:

1. What announcement did Microsoft make regarding their gaming division?
– Microsoft announced significant job cuts in their Xbox and Activision Blizzard departments, resulting in the elimination of approximately 1,900 positions.

2. How much of Microsoft’s gaming division is affected by these job cuts?
– Almost 10% of Microsoft’s gaming division is affected by these job cuts.

3. What are the consequences of this restructuring for Blizzard?
– The resignation of their president, Mike Ybarra, and the cancellation of their survival game „Odyssey” are the consequences of this restructuring for Blizzard.

4. Which departments have been hit hardest by the layoffs?
– The departments responsible for bringing Xbox games to physical retail and providing customer service for Activision Blizzard have been hit hardest by the layoffs.

5. What is the impact on players who prefer physical copies of games?
– The shutting down of departments dedicated to physical retail suggests that Microsoft may be heading towards a digital-only future, which may affect players who prefer physical copies.

6. Why is Microsoft’s decision to outsource customer support for Activision Blizzard’s games surprising?
– ABK was known for having a high-quality internal support team, and outsourcing the work to external companies abroad comes as a surprise.

Key terms and definitions:

1. Xbox: A gaming brand and console developed by Microsoft.
2. Activision Blizzard: A video game publisher that produces popular games such as Call of Duty and World of Warcraft.
3. Restructuring: The process of reorganizing a company’s structure, often involving job cuts and departmental changes.
4. Community managers: Individuals responsible for managing and engaging with a company’s online community of players.
5. Physical retail: Refers to the sale of physical copies of games in traditional brick-and-mortar stores.