Recent layoffs at Microsoft, affecting approximately 9,000 employees across various divisions, have drawn sharp criticism from those impacted. Specifically, employees at ZeniMax Media, a Microsoft-owned studio known for its work on titles like The Elder Scrolls Online, have begun speaking out, describing the process as "chaotic," "traumatic," and "inhumane."
The suddenness of the layoffs left many in disarray. According to an anonymous ZeniMax employee who spoke to Game Developer, affected individuals abruptly lost access to internal communication channels on the day of the cuts. "We have an off-work Discord chat, but even there everyone went crazy, no one had any real, verifiable information," the source revealed, painting a picture of widespread confusion.
Autumn Mitchell, a Senior QA Tester and a member of the ZWU-CWA union, highlighted the prolonged uncertainty, noting that many people spent hours unsure if their jobs were safe. Some rushed to send farewell messages to colleagues on Slack, not waiting for official confirmation. Page Branson, another active ZeniMax employee and ZWU-CWA member, characterized it as one of the worst days of her career. She stated that the company failed to clarify who would be let go, and critically, many of the laid-off staff played essential roles in the ongoing development of The Elder Scrolls Online.
ZeniMax workers informed the media that these layoffs effectively saw Microsoft "throw away decades of experience." Mitchell estimates that the company lost about a third of its staff, whose knowledge was vital for the stable operation of various projects. The remaining employees now face the daunting task of covering work previously handled by multiple laid-off individuals. In response, those who remain are actively supporting their former colleagues, offering help with resumes, conducting mock interviews, and assisting in job searches.
Both Mitchell and Branson firmly believe that Microsoft must reconsider its approach to such reductions. "This is not normal. I don't care how many times they say it was necessary – it's not normal," Mitchell asserted, underscoring the deep emotional toll on the workforce. Unions ZWU-CWA and ZOSU-CWA continue to engage in negotiations with Microsoft regarding the implications of these layoffs.
The scale and perceived chaotic nature of these layoffs, particularly within a significant gaming studio like ZeniMax, raise serious questions about corporate responsibility and employee welfare in the industry. For players, especially those invested in ongoing games like The Elder Scrolls Online, the loss of experienced talent could potentially impact future content and stability. The calls from affected employees and unions for a more humane approach highlight a critical need for better communication and support during such difficult transitions, ensuring that the human cost of corporate restructuring is not overlooked.
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