Microsoft Layoffs in Spain, Portugal Record for GNU/Linux

posted by Roy Schestowitz on Jul 02, 2025

In Portugal and Spain Windows has been having a lot of trouble lately. Today in the news there are many headlines (that we saw) regarding Microsoft layoffs in Spain (King discussions came first) and in Portugal we see GNU/Linux at record levels:

Last year Richard Stallman gave a talk in Portugal and Android replaces Windows there.

Expected many more Microsoft layoffs. The articles below [1-6] discuss King or "Microsoft's Barcelona-based King Division", where Microsoft culls 10% of staff. █

Related/contextual items from the news:

1. Microsoft begins substantial layoff process across gaming division, King and Zenimax impacted

   Microsoft has begun another round of layoffs at Xbox. At the time of writing, Zenimax and King are reportedly affected.

   According to a report by Bloomberg, Microsoft's Barcelona-based King Division is losing 10 percent of its staff, which comes to roughly 200 people. Staff at Zenimax have also been informed of layoffs across its European offices, though the number of impacted employees is currently unclear.

2. Microsoft continues Xbox layoffs, with jobs cut at King and ZeniMax Media — read Phil Spencer's note to staff

   As reported last week, Microsoft is again laying people off from its Xbox division, this time at mobile game developer King, with Bloomberg reporting that around 10% of the studio is being cut, or 200 jobs.

   Bloomberg's Jason Schreier also reports that Rare's Everwild, which was first announced all the way back in 2019, is being canceled as part of the cuts.

   Sources also confirm to Windows Central that there are cuts to ZeniMax Media's marketing team in London, U.K. as well as Rockville, Maryland in the U.S, though the exact scale isn't known at this time.

3. Xbox hit in yet another wave of Microsoft layoffs

   Tech giant Microsoft is making thousands more people redundant with the company's Xbox arm hit.

   Bloomberg reports that staff at mobile giant King and ZeniMax have been affected, with other companies seemingly set to also be affected. US firms are set to find out how many jobs are impacted today.

4. More Xbox Layoffs Announced, Phil Spencer Explains Why They Were Necessary

   The tough times at Xbox are continuing, as Microsoft is cutting more Xbox staff. This comes at a time when Microsoft's stock price is soaring and profits are up.

   Variety confirmed that Microsoft is cutting less than 4% of its global workforce in this latest move, including staff at Xbox. Microsoft had around 228,000 people by the latest count, so the cuts would be around 9,000 people. "We continue to implement organizational and workforce changes that are necessary to position the company and teams for success in a dynamic marketplace," a Microsoft spokesperson said.

   According to Bloomberg, Microsoft's Barcelona-based mobile game developer King is cutting 10% of its staff, which works out to around 200 people at the Candy Crush studio. Cuts at ZeniMax's European offices are coming, too.

5. Microsoft Makes Significant Layoffs Across Gaming Division, Xbox Boss Phil Spencer Confirms in Memo to Staff

   Microsoft has today made significant layoffs to its gaming division, per a memo sent to staff by Xbox boss Phil Spencer and reviewed by IGN.

   A source told IGN that Candy Crush developer King was hit hard, but the layoffs affect other parts of the gaming business. IGN understands parts of Microsoft-owned Bethesda, including its London office, were also affected by the cuts. Rare's long-in-development Xbox game Everwild was canceled as part of the round of layoffs.

6. Microsoft Initiates Mass Layoffs, About 9100 Employees Affected – Rumor

   Microsoft has begun laying off staff across all divisions, including its game studios, according to new reports. Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier reports that King of Candy Crush fame and ZeniMax Media (among other European offices) have been affected. The former is expected to cut 10 percent of staff, resulting in 200 employees losing their jobs.

   The full extent of cuts across studios in the United States is unknown, but things are expected to become clearer in the coming days. The Seattle Times reports that as much as four percent (or about 9100) of Microsoft’s total workforce will face layoffs.

   In an internal note obtained by Windows Central, Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer told staff, “To position Gaming for enduring success and allow us to focus on strategic growth areas, we will end or decrease work in certain areas of the business and follow Microsoft’s lead in removing layers of management to increase agility and effectiveness. Out of respect for those impacted today, the specifics of today’s notifications and any organizational shifts will be shared by your team leaders in the coming days.”