Blizzard Workers Union Criticizes Microsoft Over Recent Xbox Layoffs: “Every Worker Deserves a Voice”

Microsoft recently laid off 650 Xbox employees in a restructuring move that also impacted several Blizzard teams. The Blizzard workers union has strongly criticized Microsoft, arguing that “every employee deserves a say in their workplace.”

The gaming industry is currently facing a crisis, with over 12,700 layoffs reported in 2024 alone, according to Game Industry Layoffs. Microsoft, particularly its Xbox division—which includes Blizzard, Activision, Bethesda, and other studios still preparing to launch their projects—has been one of the most significant contributors to this wave of job cuts.

It was recently reported that Microsoft laid off 650 Xbox employees to “ensure the long-term success” of its gaming division. Although Phil Spencer has reassured that “no games are being canceled and no studios are closing as part of these adjustments,” fears of further layoffs and uncertainty about first-party game strategies are causing internal tension. This prompted the Blizzard union to issue a statement criticizing Microsoft’s latest restructuring.

Blizzard Union’s Response to Microsoft Layoffs

Microsoft is known to have made cuts to both the Warzone Mobile and Warcraft Rumble teams. Despite these workforce reductions, both games will continue, prompting the Communication Workers of America (CWA), which includes Blizzard’s World of Warcraft team, to release the following statement: “Microsoft’s decision to lay off 650 workers in the video game industry is an extremely disappointing move by one of the largest and most profitable corporations in the world,” the union stated.

“Every worker deserves a voice at work and a say in the impact of job cuts. We had hoped that a company like Microsoft, which made $88 billion in profits last year, could achieve ‘long-term success’ without destroying the livelihoods of 650 of our colleagues. Heartless layoffs like these have become all too common. We stand in solidarity with everyone who lost their jobs today and encourage all game workers to join us in forming unions to protect each other,” the statement concluded.

Source: IGN