In a tumultuous turn of events for the gaming industry, Microsoft is laying off an additional 650 employees from its gaming division. According to an internal memo from Phil Spencer, these layoffs will primarily affect corporate and support functions. Microsoft has emphasized that these changes are geared towards organizing the company for long-term success; importantly, they have clarified that this will not result in any cancellations of games, devices, or experiences, nor will any studios be closed.
This latest announcement is part of a larger pattern, as the company has seen a staggering 25,550 staff member reductions within its gaming business since its $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard last year. Spencer expressed gratitude towards the affected employees, indicating that they would receive exit packages designed to assist their transitions, which include extended healthcare and other outplacement services.
On the brighter side of gaming updates, Sony has rolled out a significant update for the PlayStation 5, introducing the Welcome Hub along with features like Party Share. Unfortunately, the update does not include some of the most-requested features such as customizable themes or folders, which are still anticipated by the gaming community. The Welcome Hub offers a new personalized space for PS5 users, allowing them to customize widgets and backgrounds, representing an evolved version of the previous explore tab.
Additionally, the legendary skater Tony Hawk has recently revealed that he is back in talks with Activision regarding potential new entries in the Pro Skater franchise. This collaboration aims to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the series, which initially debuted in 1999. Fans are hopeful for exciting developments, particularly following the previous success of remakes for the first two Tony Hawks Pro Skater games.
As the gaming landscape continues to evolve, both challenges and opportunities lie ahead for players and developers alike. Keep an eye on upcoming announcements and updates, as they significantly shape the future of gaming.
