Microsoft Lays Off 1,900 Gaming Employees Following Activision Blizzard Merger

The layoffs are part of a larger reorganization of the company, with the cancellation of a six-year development project among the casualties.

Microsoft has laid off 1,900 employees in its gaming division, including those from Activision Blizzard, Xbox, and ZeniMax, following its $68 billion merger with Activision Blizzard.
The layoffs follow a court battle in which the Federal Trade Commission attempted to block the merger, citing concerns about reduced competition and harm to workers.
Union organizing has been increasing in the tech and video game industries, with three shops within Microsoft's umbrella having won union elections.
Microsoft's layoffs are part of a larger reorganization of the company network, with the aim of aligning Activision Blizzard with Xbox best practices.
Blizzard's unnamed survival game, which had been in development for over six years and received positive internal feedback, was cancelled as part of the layoffs.