OneBSG, the union representing Bethesda's Montreal workers, has filed a legal complaint alleging Bethesda broke Canadian labor laws by laying off employees with "bare legal minimum" severance after initially promising employment until September.
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma announced significant layoffs and studio transfers, sparking a debate over immigration and 'American' workers. Critics falsely claimed Sharma, a US citizen of Indian origin, fired Americans for H-1B visa holders, while others criticized the cuts due to Microsoft's profits.
Obsidian Entertainment is undergoing a significant reshuffle, including project cancellations like an Avowed sequel, as part of Xbox's broader restructuring and layoffs. The studio will now reportedly focus on a new Fallout game, with Josh Sawyer leading development. Approximately a quarter of Obsidian's workforce, totaling 52 employees, are being laid off.
id Software, the creator of Doom, is reportedly laying off about 50% of its staff. This is part of broader layoffs announced by Microsoft for its Xbox division and game studios. A former employee cited the 50% figure, potentially affecting around 90 jobs, though specific departments impacted are unknown. The Communications Workers of America (CWA) criticized Microsoft's negotiation tactics regarding unionized staff at id Software.
