Xbox, Mixed Reality Divisions of Microsoft Lay Off Over 600 Workers

Microsoft sacked around 1,000 employees across its various verticals in October 2022 as a result of the global economic slowdown. Several tech giants, such as Google, Meta, and Amazon, have recently been undergoing restructuring processes that have affected hundreds of employees.

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Microsoft has announced yet another round of layoffs in its hardware divisions, including the HoloLens, Surface, and Xbox teams, in yet another round of layoffs. Trade Algo reports that the tech firm was forced to lay off 617 employees working in the Seattle office as a result of the layoffs.

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While Microsoft refused to comment on the sacking of employees, it did state that it remains dedicated to the mixed reality space and HoloLens 2.

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The company spokesperson informed the media via email that while he could not comment on specific details of staffing, the company could share that there are no changes to HoloLens 2 and the company's commitment to mixed reality.

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It has been reported that Xbox Chief Phil Spencer has written a letter to his employees regarding the layoffs, " As we move forward, I urge all of you to take the time and space you need to process these changes and support your colleagues.”

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“As part of today's restructuring, I was eliminated along with many of my incredibly talented colleagues, along with my own. As I am still trying to process things, I find it helpful to reflect back on the experiences I've had during my time on the HoloLens team," wrote Kristian Davila, ex-HoloLens employee, on LinkedIn.

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Announcing its layoff plans in January 2023, the company revealed that the layoffs would continue until the end of the third quarter of FY23. “As we go through this process, the senior leadership team and I are committed to doing so in a thoughtful and transparent manner as possible,” the company said in a statement. In January of this year, Microsoft issued pink slips to 10,000 of its employees across the globe.

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A global economic slowdown resulted in the layoff of approximately 1,000 employees across Microsoft's various verticals in October 2022 due to the slowdown in the global economy. Over the past few months, thousands of employees across various tech giants like Google, Meta, and Amazon have been affected by the process of restructuring.