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Game over for 20% of Xbox staff as Microsoft hits reset: We ‘didn’t focus on the core business,’ CEO says. ‘We simply spread ourselves too thin.’

Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has announced a major restructuring plan that includes laying off 20% of the company's workforce to refocus operations on the core flagship console business.

Key Points

  • The restructuring impacts approximately 3,200 employees as part of a broader 2% workforce reduction across Microsoft.
  • Xbox is spinning off four internal game studios to streamline operations and reduce organizational bloat.
  • The company aims to pivot resources back to its flagship console, which currently accounts for 80% of its total business revenue.
  • CEO Asha Sharma cited a need to correct past strategic overextension that caused the division to lose focus on its primary products.

Why it Matters

This significant downsizing signals a shift in strategy for Microsoft as it attempts to improve profitability by abandoning experimental bets in favor of its core hardware business. The move highlights the growing pressure on major tech firms to prioritize operational efficiency and clear returns on investment amid a challenging economic landscape.
Fortune Published by Jim Edwards
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