Microsoft's communications lead addressed claims that recent Xbox layoffs aimed to replace American workers with foreign hires. The company cut over 3,000 positions to restructure the division.
Frank Shaw posted on X that the changes targeted an unhealthy Xbox business and were not meant to swap employees for foreign workers. He noted that H-1B visa figures cover the entire company and that layoffs affected staff worldwide.
id Software issued a statement thanking supporters and confirming it retains the team size used for Doom 2016. The studio plans to continue building games and attend QuakeCon in August.
Obsidian Entertainment game director Brandon Adler described the week as extremely difficult after losing colleagues. He rejected online claims that the studio has changed fundamentally, stating its DNA remains the same as during Fallout: New Vegas and other past projects.
Xbox shifted Obsidian toward a new Fallout game while reports indicate work continues on an Avowed sequel. Multiple other studios including Compulsion Games and Ninja Theory were closed in the cuts.
