Earlier this week, Microsoft confirmed the layoff of 10,000 employees, affecting in particular the gaming branch through 343 Industries and Bethesda. Players wondered what would become of Halo Infinite, as well as the franchise. If some answers have quickly surfaced, the responsibility of Xbox is strongly pointed out.
Microsoft ‘doomed Halo to failure’
If the situation is still quite unclear, a former developer of the studio is indignant at the fate reserved for his former colleagues. Indeed, Tyler Owens, working today on the engine of Apex Legends, has expressed on Twitter to denounce the role that Microsoft plays in this failure.
Although the developer only stayed at 343 Industries for 15 months working on Halo 5 Guardians from January 2015 to March 2016, he explains that this situation is a result of Microsoft’s business practices and policies.
As a Halo fan, I’m really tired of Microsoft’s business practices and policies slowly killing what I love.
between contract policies they abuse for tax incentives and layoffs in the face of gigantic profits/executive bonuses…they doomed Halo
Only an in-depth investigation would reveal more, but this is hardly surprising, insofar as a group the size of Microsoft must above all achieve its financial and development objectives, before making the passion speak.
A situation that worries developers
These numerous dismissals, as well as this speech by the former developer from 343 Industries, have cause to raise questions, in particular with regard to potential future takeovers by Xbox.
If Bethesda also suffered a loss of employees while the acquisition was made less than two years ago, it is reasonable to think that the developers at Activision Blizzard King could see the same fate in the distant future.
It is in particular the concern shared by Nina Marottadeveloper at High Moon Studios, one of Activision’s internal studios, having participated in the development of many Call of Duty episodes.
I’m afraid this is a glimpse of ABK’s future with MS if the acquisition goes through.
While Microsoft is struggling to have the takeover of the publisher validated against the FTC or the CMA, it is particularly obvious that these elements will not weigh in favor of the American giant.
Just this morning, Phil Spencer spoke to his teams to express his support. If the boss of Xbox wants to be empathetic and reassuring, the teams also do not seem convinced of the measures taken by the company to ease tensions and erase the fears of its employees.
