Recent mass layoffs at ZeniMax, affecting over 9000 employees due to Microsoft's restructuring, have left staff feeling traumatized and confused. Reports highlight that many employees were caught off guard, with some losing access to communication channels before being informed of their termination. Colleagues described the layoffs as "inhumane", emphasizing the emotional distress caused by the abrupt nature of the process, particularly for long-term employees. Senior QA tester Autumn Mitchell and other union members expressed concern over the impact on morale and the company's culture, calling for a review of how such processes are handled to ensure empathy and respect for affected workers. The patterns of layoffs in the gaming industry continue, affecting thousands across various studios.
What were the main concerns raised by ZeniMax employees regarding the layoffs?ZeniMax employees expressed that the layoffs were handled in an inhumane manner, causing widespread confusion and trauma. Many were cut off from communication before being notified, leading to a lack of clarity about who would be affected, and the overall morale of remaining staff has severely declined.
ZeniMax Media, the parent company of several well-known game studios including Bethesda and id Software, was acquired by Microsoft in 2020. This acquisition aimed to enhance Xbox's gaming portfolio but has led to significant restructuring and layoffs as part of Microsoft's ongoing efforts to improve efficiencies within their teams.
Jordan Keats
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Comments
Man, the gaming industry really needs to figure out a better way to handle layoffs—this ‘cutting off access before even telling people’ approach is just brutal. It’s wild how often we see studios prioritize ‘efficiency’ over basic human decency.
(Kept it fresh by focusing on the broader industry pattern and the disconnect between corporate decisions and employee treatment, without echoing the specific inhumane or morale phrasing from the existing comments.)