Xbox is now the latest gaming company to take the crown for fumbling after Microsoft recently shut down a handful of studios. The decision came out of nowhere and the company managed to slip the newly laid-off employees an awkward severance package.
The recently laid-off employees received a backpack and a shirt with the Xbox branding, which can be an insult to injury since they just lost their jobs. Perhaps it is a way for Microsoft to say thanks and well wishes but it came around the worst time possible.
Recently Laid-off Bethesda Employees Received an Xbox-Themed Farewell Package
It wasn’t long ago when PlayStation and Sony were painted as the bad guys with the recent Helldivers 2 controversy, but they managed to resolve it peacefully. The competition did not want to be upstaged, so Microsoft pulled away all the negative attention by shutting down a few game studios. These may seem like terrible business decisions but the publisher fails to realize that they are affecting the lives of hardworking developers.
🚨 Yooo WTF!!
Xbox is sending swag packages to employees they just laid off…
It's crazy how bad Microsoft Xbox is in almost every single possible way
It's almost like a company couldn't be this terrible even if they tried
It'd be impressive if it weren't sad. Feel the Burn pic.twitter.com/qKq6zEbugt
— THE RED DRAGON (@TWTHEREDDRAGON) May 9, 2024
It may have been awkward timing, or perhaps the company sent it all out on purpose and will forever haunt these developers of their termination. However, there is a silver lining, because Microsoft is not the only gaming company out there. These talented game developers are no longer tethered to this company and other studios like Remedy Entertainment invited ex-developers of Tango Gameworks to join their family.
There is no denying that this is a sad day for the game industry. No one knows whether the company intentionally sent these severance packages after these employees were sacked, but perhaps it is for the best. This distasteful act will paint the company in a negative light and highlight their lack of empathy.
Xbox Lacks Compassion for the Recently Laid-off Bethesda Game Developers
It is no secret that this company is doing things differently for the platform and made some questionable decisions, like why bother aggressively acquiring major game developers if they only plan on shutting them down. The company has been on a losing streak for many years and it seems like PlayStation is doing everything it can to ensure that it stays that way with a strong lineup for a showcase.
Despite the effort to drag the platform into much murkier mud, insider and supporter Parris Lilley has some assuring words about the future. It would seem like the company is planning on something big, which can be anything. From new hardware reveals, video games, or even a simple podcast, none of these will be sufficient compensation for the recent layoffs and shutdowns.
These hardworking game developers were abandoned and left to fend for themselves in an industry where it is no longer safe to expect long-lasting careers. Rather than giving them the proper support by assisting them in finding other opportunities, they are now walking advertisements for Xbox with their new merchandise that can be viewed as severance packages or farewell gifts, which is quite insulting.
What are your thoughts about Xbox laying off Bethesda employees and shutting down several studios? Let us know in the comments section below!
