layoffs

AppWizard
May 21, 2025
Carrie Patel, former director of Avowed, has joined Night School Studio, a subsidiary of Netflix, as game director. She previously worked at Obsidian Entertainment for nearly 12 years, contributing to titles like Pillars of Eternity, The Outer Worlds, and Avowed. Night School Studio was acquired by Netflix in 2021 and is known for the game Oxenfree. In February 2025, Netflix announced layoffs at Night School Studio amidst broader changes, including the closure of its Blue studio and leadership reshuffling.
AppWizard
May 20, 2025
The Chinese game industry has experienced significant growth, with popular titles like Genshin Impact and Black Myth: Wukong driving global interest. Black Myth: Wukong sold 10 million copies within a week of its August 2024 launch and won Game of the Year at the 2024 Steam Awards. The single-player game market in China is becoming more sustainable, with a shift in focus due to the success of titles like Black Myth: Wukong. Developers are adapting their strategies, although challenges such as high production costs, competition, and issues related to work culture persist. Local governments are actively supporting game development through licensing, tax breaks, and grants, with initiatives aimed at integrating cultural themes into games. Despite layoffs in the industry, a robust social safety net exists to support affected employees.
Winsage
May 19, 2025
Many users are experiencing issues with Windows 10 versions 22H2 and Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021, particularly those with Intel Trusted Execution Technology (TXT) on tenth-generation or later Intel processors with vPro support. Users who have BitLocker enabled and installed the KB5058379 patch released on May 13 may need their BitLocker recovery keys due to a bug causing lsass.exe to terminate unexpectedly, leading to an Automatic Repair cycle or a reboot loop. Microsoft has acknowledged the issue and is working on an Out-of-band update. Meanwhile, workarounds, such as disabling TXT, pose security risks. Microsoft also announced significant layoffs affecting thousands of employees.
Winsage
May 15, 2025
Microsoft will continue to provide security updates for Microsoft 365 applications, including PowerPoint, Word, and Excel, on Windows 10 until October 10, 2028, despite the end of official support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. A misleading blog post suggesting that Microsoft 365 Apps would cease support on Windows 10 after the 2025 deadline was clarified by a Microsoft spokesperson as not being an official announcement. Extended Security Updates (ESU) are now available to individual consumers, previously limited to commercial clients and educational institutions. Users can purchase ESU, consider third-party security patches, or transition to Linux if they wish to move away from Microsoft’s ecosystem. Additionally, Microsoft recently announced layoffs of 7,000 employees.
AppWizard
May 14, 2025
Microsoft has announced a reduction in its workforce by three percent, equating to approximately 6,840 positions, as part of its strategic efforts to align with market dynamics. As of June 2024, Microsoft employed around 228,000 individuals. A WARN notice has been filed in Washington state, indicating that 1,985 employees will be affected, though it is unclear if this number pertains only to Washington or the entire U.S. In January 2023, Microsoft cut 10,000 jobs (4.5% of its workforce), followed by 1,900 positions in January 2024 within its gaming division, and another 650 employees by September 2024. Further layoffs are expected to be announced in January 2025.
AppWizard
May 12, 2025
WB Games experienced a 48% decline in gaming revenue for the first quarter of 2025, primarily due to the lack of new game releases compared to the previous year. The disappointing performance of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, which resulted in a [openai_gpt model="gpt-4o-mini" prompt="Summarize the content and extract only the fact described in the text bellow. The summary shall NOT include a title, introduction and conclusion. Text: WB Games finds itself navigating turbulent waters, as a recent financial report reveals a staggering 48% decline in gaming revenue for the first quarter of 2025. Although the report does not dedicate a section solely to gaming, it highlights the significant impact of recent game releases on the company's bottom line. Revenue Decline and Impairment The report attributes this sharp revenue drop primarily to the absence of new game releases in the current quarter, especially when compared to the previous year’s launch of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League. This title, which has been a topic of discussion since its release, has not only failed to meet expectations but also contributed to a staggering loss of 0 million for Warner Bros back in June 2024. The game’s final update was rolled out in January of this year, suggesting that the financial repercussions may have continued to ripple through the company. Despite the challenges, the previous year saw over 22 million copies of Hogwarts Legacy and Mortal Kombat 1 sold, which injected substantial revenue into Warner Bros. However, even with such successes, the current decline in revenue is stark. The report notes that the company’s expenses related to gaming content have plummeted by 66%, a reduction attributed to the impairment linked to Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League and lower revenue in the current quarter. Corporate Decisions and Studio Closures This drop in expenses raises eyebrows, particularly as it coincides with the closure of several studios, including Monolith, Player First Games, and WB San Diego, along with the cancellation of a much-anticipated Wonder Woman game. While the report presents this information in a clinical manner, the implications are clear: the company is tightening its belt in response to a poorly performing title. The language used to describe these events is notably sanitized, yet it hints at a dismal sentiment surrounding the failure of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League. It’s reminiscent of a dramatic court scene where a noble drops their goblet in shock at the audacity of a courtier's remarks. The fallout from this situation has not only affected the financial landscape but has also led to layoffs and the resignation of the head of WB Games, underscoring the tumultuous environment within the gaming industry. As the dust settles, the focus shifts to the leadership decisions that led to the creation of this ill-fated game, rather than placing blame on the developers who were tasked with bringing it to life. The current state of affairs serves as a stark reminder of the complexities and challenges facing companies in the gaming sector." max_tokens="3500" temperature="0.3" top_p="1.0" best_of="1" presence_penalty="0.1" frequency_penalty="frequency_penalty"] million loss for Warner Bros in June 2024, contributed significantly to this decline. The company's gaming content expenses dropped by 66%, linked to the impairment from the failed title and lower revenue. Several studios, including Monolith, Player First Games, and WB San Diego, were closed, and a Wonder Woman game was canceled. The situation has led to layoffs and the resignation of the head of WB Games.
AppWizard
May 12, 2025
Nearly 200 developers from the Overwatch series have formed a union called The Overwatch Gamemakers Guild-CWA, announced by the Communications Workers of America (CWA). The union includes members from various departments such as design, production, engineering, art, sound, and quality assurance. The unionization effort was motivated by layoffs in the gaming industry and aims to improve workplace conditions. Members believe collective action will help address long-standing issues like layoffs, excessive crunch periods, and inadequate working conditions in the gaming sector.
AppWizard
May 6, 2025
The trailer for Grand Theft Auto 6 has been released, showcasing impressive graphics and attention to detail. The game is set for release in 2026 and is expected to be one of the most successful video games in history. Rockstar Games is in a strong position, with GTA Online generating significant revenue, allowing for a lengthy development period. Despite challenges in the gaming industry, including layoffs and the struggles of several studios, major projects like GTA 6 and others from prominent developers are underway. The development of Red Dead Redemption 2 faced issues related to crunch periods, but Rockstar has committed to improving working conditions.
AppWizard
May 1, 2025
Electronic Arts has confirmed that the 2024 season of EA Sports WRC will be the last collaboration with Codemasters on the World Rally Championship series, as EA pauses development plans for future rally titles. Codemasters, acquired by EA in 2021, will shift its focus primarily to Formula 1 racing games, with the upcoming release of F1 25 scheduled for May 30. The FIA acknowledged the advancements in the WRC gaming franchise due to EA Sports and Codemasters and hinted at a new direction for the WRC gaming franchise.
AppWizard
May 1, 2025
Gaming revenue increased by 5% (6% when adjusted for currency), while Xbox content and services revenue grew by 8%. However, Xbox hardware revenue declined by 6% (5% CC) and experienced a 30% drop between early 2024 and early 2023. Microsoft has acquired game studios, including Blizzard and Bethesda, but faces challenges such as layoffs and a lack of compelling console exclusives. Current standout titles on Xbox Game Pass do not require an Xbox purchase, reflecting a trend where console exclusivity is becoming less relevant, except for Nintendo.
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