The Media Talks a Lot About XBox Layoffs, a Closer Look at the Data Shows Microsoft 'Bloodbath'
'Bloodbath' is the term insiders use
So the layoffs are happening in several waves, based on the CEO. If one reviews who's impacted, then one sees that apart from PIPs and "buyouts" there's this classic HR 'hack':
We've spoken about it for a very long time.
Then consider the WARN notice of one US state and just one city alone. Look closely: "Microsoft has decided to reorganize and restructure operations resulting in the elimination of 493 positions located at Microsoft’s Puget Sound facilities at One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052. Microsoft is also eliminating 112 remote positions located within Puget Sound. All 605 positions will be permanently eliminated as of September 4, 2026. Microsoft has provided all 605 affected employees with Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification. All affected employees will be terminated on September 4, 2026. A list of all affected employees, their job titles, and addresses is included as Attachment A."
Pay attention to job titles, e.g.:
A lot are software developers, nothing to do with games.
It's not hard to see how the XBox "narrative" serves to distract. Software Engineering almost dominates this 30-page list. We have reviewed every page. █
Image source: Megaphone Loudspeaker And CCTV