Video game giant Activision Blizzard will begin laying off hundreds of employees in its Irvine, Santa Monica, and Playa Vista offices as part of parent company Microsoft’s effort to cut custs in the gaming division.
The cuts planned for October will impact a total of 393 workers, with most jobs eliminated by the end of the year.
Microsoft, which completed its $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard last year, is slashing 3% of its global gaming workforce, amounting to 650 employees. The effacted jobs come largely from corporate and support functions like IT, HR, and recruiting, according to a company notice filed with the state.
Timeline and Impact of the Layoffs
- Irvine Studio — 140 employees will be laid off by December.
- Santa Monica HQ — 110 positions will be cut by year-end.
- Playa Vista Office — A total of 143 employees will lose their jobs starting November.
The layoffs are part of Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer’s strategic plan to reorganize teams following the acquisition, with a focus on streamlining the company’s operations.
Spencer emphasized that these cuts are necessary to ensure long-term sustainability in the gaming division.
Source: LA Times