Microsoft Employees Detail ZeniMax Layoffs as Chaotic and Dehumanizing
Marcus Thompson 
Key Takeaways
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- Microsofts ZeniMax subsidiary conducted a third major round of layoffs since 2023, impacting over 900 employees and affecting various studios.
- Affected employees have criticized the lack of communication during the layoff process, describing it as cruel, stressful, and causing significant disruption.
- The union ZWUCWA has noted a decline in team morale and a worsening work environment at ZeniMax.
- Some employees have found Microsofts focus on cost-cutting measures and business results insensitive, as it does not directly acknowledge the human impact of these decisions.
Chaotic Layoffs at Microsoft’s ZeniMax Subsidiary Impact Over 900 Employees
According to reports from The Game Developer, Microsoft’s ZeniMax subsidiary, acquired in 2021, implemented its third major round of layoffs since 2023 in July. This action contributed to over 9,000 job losses across Microsoft in recent months. The July cuts impacted over 900 ZeniMax employees and affected various studios including Rare, Turn 10, The Initiative, and Raven Software. Workers described the process as a messy, disorganized nightmare, with many left baffled and stunned by its execution. In some cases, employees lost access to their emails and internal communication platform Slack before receiving any official contact from Human Resources, causing significant disruption.
Layoffs at Microsoft’s ZeniMax Subsidiary: Employees Decry Lack of Communication and Emotional Toll
Affected employees have spoken out about the layoff process. Autumn Mitchell, one impacted worker, described the situation as “cruel” and criticized the company’s portrayal of the layoffs as typical or deserved. Mitchell E. Branson, from the ZeniMax Workers United of CWA (ZWUCWA), stated that Microsoft failed to provide timely explanations regarding who would be dismissed, leaving many colleagues in a state of stress and disarray. A recurring theme in statements gathered by The Game Developer was the profound lack of communication and the emotional toll on teams. Employees reported that the cuts were sudden, forcing them to scramble to bid farewell to colleagues they had worked with for over a decade. They also expressed concern over the loss of valuable institutional knowledge within teams, anticipating problems when experienced members disappeared without warning. Amidst Microsoft’s announcement of cost-cutting measures, Xbox division CEO Phil Spencer issued a memo to staff. The memo focused on the company’s solid results, highlighting player growth and strong game and hardware offerings. Some workers found this insensitive, feeling it did not directly acknowledge the human impact of these decisions.
Union at ZeniMax Aids Layoff Recovery but Concerns Remain Over Deteriorating Work Environment
Mitchell E. Branson of ZWUCWA also noted that the union’s presence helped mitigate some of the immediate difficulties for both laid-off employees and those remaining with the company. However, the union remains concerned about a worsening work environment, noting a significant decline in team morale.
In Case You Missed It
In light of recent developments in the gaming industry, Jonathan Dubinski’s latest piece on Players for Life delves into the Zenimax Online Workers Union’s response to Microsoft’s cuts (published July 15, 2025). The post discusses the union’s statement regarding the cancellation of Project Blackbird and the departure of key personnel, shedding light on the broader implications for Zenimax Studios. For a detailed look at these significant changes, be sure to check out ZeniMax Online Workers Union Responds to Microsoft Cuts. In today’s rapidly evolving tech landscape, AI continues to reshape the job market in unexpected ways. For a fascinating look at how this shift is playing out, check out Bruno Pferd’s recent article titled “Xbox to Replace Around 200 King Jobs with AI Tools” (published on July 15, 2025). The piece delves into the implications of King’s decision to implement AI tools, leading to a significant reduction in staff. If you’re interested in understanding how AI is transforming not just industries but individual career paths, be sure to read this insightful post Xbox to Replace Around 200 King Jobs with AI Tools. Exciting news for all Cyberpunk 2077 fans out there! Jonathan Dubinski dives into the latest developments with his post “Cyberpunk 2077 Receives New 2.3 Update, Reveal Scheduled for Today,” published on July 16, 2025. He details how CD Projekt Red is set to unveil the highly anticipated 2.3 update during a live stream event dubbed Red Stream. Don’t miss out on this groundbreaking moment—head over to Cyberpunk 2077 Receives New 2.3 Update, Reveal Scheduled for Today to catch all the action!
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About the Author
Sophie Laurent 
Bruno Pferd 
