Xbox game developers are participating in rallies across the United States and Canada to draw attention to a perceived culture of layoffs within Microsoft and to advocate for better treatment of remaining employees. The "Save Our Devs" rallies, supported by the One Bethesda Game Studio (OneBGS) union and the Communication Workers of America, aim to address the significant job cuts that have impacted the company. According to sources speaking with Kotaku, these layoffs have become a frequent event since Microsoft acquired ZeniMax Media, Bethesda's former parent company.
Alex Nguyen, a lead character artist who has worked at Bethesda for several years, stated that prior to the Microsoft acquisition, layoffs were infrequent. He described the pre-acquisition era as a period where many employees had long tenures, viewing Bethesda as a place to build a long-term career. "That was one of the benefits," Nguyen said. "That’s why a lot of people had such long tenure here, and they were like, ‘Yeah, this is the place I’m gonna retire at.’"
Nguyen pointed to the challenging launches of games like Fallout 76 and The Elder Scrolls Online as examples where development teams were given opportunities to address issues and improve the games. However, he noted a distinct shift after the company came under Microsoft's ownership. "But since we’ve been under Microsoft…it feels like something has changed. We didn’t have layoffs before, and now we all of a sudden we have yearly layoffs."
Nathan Hahn, a technical producer at Bethesda Game Studios for four years, echoed these concerns, emphasizing the impact of layoffs on both morale and the development process. "Every coworker contributes to the success of our company," Hahn stated. "Without us, Bethesda games aren’t Bethesda games." Beyond the increased workload for remaining staff, the departure of experienced employees means the loss of crucial institutional knowledge, making it harder for the company to manage complex projects.
"If only five people knew how this thing worked and you let all five of them go, that’s a morale killer because it’s like we already knew this, and now we have to learn it again," Nguyen explained.
Union members contend that layoffs do not have to occur in their current form and suggest that Microsoft could work collaboratively with unions to negotiate terms that are equitable for all parties. Hahn revealed that the union submitted a proposal regarding reductions in force in February, but the company reportedly took four months to respond before proceeding with layoffs. The developers are also working to correct misinformation regarding who is being affected, with Nguyen clarifying that the cuts are impacting frontline workers, not just middle management.
Despite the current challenges, union members express a degree of optimism. An unfair labor practice complaint has been filed with the National Labor Relations Board against Microsoft concerning the recent firings, and the rallies are intended to garner broader support and international attention. "Morale for our work at our jobs has never been lower," Hahn admitted. "But morale for what we can do while working together collectively…that is on the upswing."