Microsoft, and especially its employees, are going through difficult times. Earlier this week, the giant announced the loss of 10,000 jobs in various sectors, including gaming; Bethesda but also and above all 343 Industries were particularly affected. Faced with the situation, Phil Spencer spoke to his teams.
“This is a difficult time for our company”
It was via an email sent to Microsoft teams that the boss of Xbox spoke. This email was retrieved by
Kotakuwho was able to verify its authenticity, and whose content you can discover below.
It’s been a tough week for Microsoft, and here on our teams. Now that many one-on-one and team conversations have taken place, I want to take a moment to reiterate the message you heard from your leaders.
It’s a tough time for our business, and stocks this week were painful choices. The Gaming leadership team had to make decisions that we believe will ensure the long-term success of our products and our business, but the individual results of those decisions are real. I know it hurts. Please support our colleagues as they process these changes.
Over the next few weeks we will have many opportunities to come together and answer your questions, especially during the Monthly Gaming Update next week for the teams participating in this meeting, and I am in close contact with the teams of ZeniMax for supporting them. GLT and I are committed to being as transparent as possible. Moving forward in ambiguity is a challenge, but I am confident that together we will get through this difficult time.
Xbox has a long history of success thanks to the work you do for gamers, creators and each other. Your work is deeply appreciated and valued in these times of change and is an integral part of the dynamics of our business. I’m confident in our future and I’m proud to be part of this team, but I’m also aware that we are going through a difficult period and I want to thank you for all that you do here.
Phil
not convinced
Faced with the words of Phil Spencer, wanting to be reassuring about the future of the company and thanking its teams, the employees seem skeptical. One of them replied to Kotaku in particular:
It looks like something you send out of obligation
[…]
I seriously doubt these Monthly Gaming Updates, or other meetings, will do anything to make anyone feel better.
We obviously imagine that times are tough for Microsoft teams, and we hope that those affected will be able to bounce back quickly.
While Xbox will broadcast its first Developer_Direct next Wednesday, which will allow you to learn more about Redfall and Forza Motorsport, it is a new blow for the firm at the start of 2023.
