Microsoft Axes 18,000 Jobs, Closes Xbox Television Studio

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It appears that Microsoft is backing out of original TV programming already, despite their gigantic push for it during the initial reveal for the Xbox One.

In a report by Recode, we’ve learned that Microsoft has not only axed 18,000 jobs (try reading that aloud and not shit yourself), they’ve also shut down the Xbox Entertainment Studios division, all in part of a company wide restructuring. It appears the Ballmer era of Microsoft is over?


200 of those 18,000 jobs were from the Xbox Entertainment Division. The studio had a lot of original content planned for Xbox One, most notably that Halo series, which Steven Spielberg was reportedly producing. That show is supposedly saved from the giant cuts, but who knows of the fate of the other shows.

Following the shutdown of the Xbox Entertainment Studios, Microsoft’s new CEO Satya Nadella said:

“Microsoft will continue to vigorously innovate and delight gamers with Xbox.”

What are your thoughts on this guys? Should gaming companies stay out of the TV entertainment/original programming business?

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