We've learned more about those impacted by the devastating Microsoft layoffs, with many in Blizzard's esports division revealing on Tuesday that they've been let go from the company.
Less than a week ago, we learned that Microsoft is laying off 1,900 workers from its video game workforce. Today, several people within the company's esports teams and operations were informed that they were being laid off. According to a post on X/Twitter from CharlieIntel, an account that covers all things Call of Duty, Microsoft has laid off the majority of the esports team. CharlieIntel estimates about 12 people remain on the esports team overall.
Activision Blizzard and Microsoft continued the lay offs todays, laying off a majority of the esports team. There’s about 12 people left on the esports team now.
— CharlieIntel (@charlieINTEL) January 30, 2024
Microsoft waited till the CDL staff came back from Boston Major this past weekend before informing them.
The layoffs don't just affect Call of Duty esports, but seem to have hit every esports brand under Microsoft, including the Overwatch League. Those laid off took to social media to announce that they had been affected.
"After 7 years of service, I've just been laid off by Blizzard. It was a dream come true to work there & I'm saddened that my time was cut short," wrote Soe Gschwind on X/Twitter. "(Yes, I was rdy for this call with champagne...gotta celebrate the good times & opportunities I had!) What's next? I am available!"
After 7 years of service, I've just been laid off by Blizzard. It was a dream come true to work there & I'm saddened that my time was cut short.
— Soe Gschwind (@Soembie) January 30, 2024
(Yes, I was rdy for this call with champagne...gotta celebrate the good times & opportunities I had!)
What's next? I am available! pic.twitter.com/kSbiNG8dCu
"I was part of the Blizz Esports layoffs. I started over 6 yrs ago & in that time I got to produce multiple Grand Finals, got nominated for Emmys & brought joy to fans," wrote Nick Edmonds on X/Twitter. "But what I’ll miss most is the talented passionate people I worked with. They’re the best & they deserve better."
I was part of the Blizz Esports layoffs. I started over 6 yrs ago & in that time I got to produce multiple Grand Finals, got nominated for Emmys & brought joy to fans. But what I’ll miss most is the talented passionate people I worked with. They’re the best & they deserve better. pic.twitter.com/ZQBRjHg9jo
— Nick Edmonds (@Nedmundo14) January 30, 2024
"They did it, they actually did it. They let us work with that over our heads and laid us off on our first day off," wrote Scott Parkin on X/Twitter. "The lack of common decency is a joke."
They did it, they actually did it. They let us work with that over our heads and laid us off on our first day off. The lack of common decency is a joke.
— Scott Parkin (@aBhorsenn) January 30, 2024
IGN understands that the layoffs are part of the previously reported 1,900 number - those in the esports division were just informed on Tuesday. According to the posts on X/Twitter, it seems that Microsoft was waiting for many of those laid off to finish up events or projects they were working on, including Boston Major, which occurred last weekend.
A source tells us that these layoffs do not mean the esports division is gone completely at Blizzard, despite the reduced workforce. If CharlieIntel's estimates are accurate, however, that number is substantially reduced.
This news continues the trend of industry-wide layoffs that affected an estimated 10,000 people in 2023 and show no signs of stopping in 2024. It's estimated that over 5,600 people have already been laid off in the gaming industry in January alone.
Microsoft is currently estimated to be worth more than $3 trillion. It is the second company to ever reach that milestone, behind only Apple.
IGN has reached out to Microsoft for official comment.
hi everyone. as of this morning, i've been laid off from @OW_Esports. i'm so happy to have been here for the last year & 1/2 even though i never got to complete my goals that i had set after i accepted the job offer. i'm not going to lie & say it was a good year & a half though
— berry jinhee (@janggwaberry) January 30, 2024
Unfortunately today, along with a lot of other amazing esports folks, I’ve been let go from Blizzard. Casting Overwatch and working behind the scenes planning some of the best years we’ve had with Overwatch Esports and the upcoming year with the new OWCS was a dream come true.…
— Matt Morello (@MattMrX) January 30, 2024
Laid off today from Activision Blizzard despite getting promoted 3 months ago. I'm still incredibly proud of the product we created and I'm heartbroken to say goodbye to the CDL.
— Cathy (@lolcathy1) January 30, 2024
Excited for more opportunities in esports competition/league operations. DMs open, RTs appreciated! pic.twitter.com/kiMUPIuKhA
With today’s news we have additional free agents on the market.
— Hot Hands Lounge (@HotHandsLounge) January 30, 2024
All of which are incredibly talented with a plethora of experience between them. @ParadoxQJ @JPROSP8 @PiscatorJosh @WaldoRtk7 @TheCleanerHD @Shnard pic.twitter.com/SoDHiisZbR
I will follow up on this after my mind is clear, but after over 6 years with Blizzard Entertainment, I have been laid off.
— Nate Shanks (ObsJunkrat) (@SHANKUMS11) January 30, 2024
I have been with Overwatch esports before OWL was started and I got to watch as that era began and fall and with that fall my journey at Blizzard also comes to an end. Promoted to customer after 6 years and some change.
— Dylan Rode (@Unstopmonkey) January 30, 2024
In case my last post wasn't very clear, this morning a bunch of my friends and peers I've worked with who were full time with Blizz and brought you the OWL + CDL broadcasts for the last few years were laid off.
— Jess / Maka ✨? (@JessDiPaola) January 30, 2024
My entire team is gone. I'm beyond heartbroken.
They deserve better
Thumbnail credit: Sergio Flores/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Will Borger is an IGN freelancer. You can find him on Twitter @bywillborger.
