These days the news of the dismissal of 10,000 employees by Microsoft has made a sensation, just one of the many Big Tech companies that have started staff cuts after a strong expansion during the Covid period (Microsoft had hired 40,000 employees only in 2022).

The cuts have affected multiple areas of the Redmond house, including the Xbox section with layoffs in Bethesda, 343 Industries and The Coalition, among others. The head of Microsoft's Gaming division, Phil Spencer, then intervened on the issue with a letter sent to employees throughout the company, which we translate below:

This has been a tough week across Microsoft and here within our teams. Now that many of the 1:1 and team conversations have happened, I want to take a moment to reiterate the message you've heard from your leaders.

This is a difficult time for our company and this week's choices have been painful. The Gaming Leadership Team had to make decisions that we felt allowed us to ensure the long-term success of our products and business, but the individual results of those decisions are real. I know it hurts. Thank you for supporting our colleagues in bringing about these changes.

In the coming weeks, we will have many opportunities to get in touch with you and answer your questions, including next week's Monthly Gaming Update for the teams attending that meeting, and I am in close contact with the ZeniMax teams to provide support. The Gaming Leadership Team and I are committed to being as transparent as possible. Moving forward in ambiguity is challenging, but I am confident that together we will be able to overcome this difficult moment.

Xbox has a long history of success through the work you do to serve players, creators, and others. Your work is deeply valued and valued in these times of change and is an integral part of our business momentum. I am confident in our future and proud to be part of this team, but I am also aware that this is a difficult time and I want to thank you for everything you do here.

Phil