Sou Hu Cai Jing·2025-07-24 07:00Group 1 - Microsoft has laid off approximately 15,000 employees, marking the largest layoffs in over a decade, affecting various departments including Xbox and AI tools [1][2][3] - The layoffs are part of a broader restructuring plan aimed at reallocating resources and focusing on strategic priorities within the changing gaming industry [1][3] - Key personnel in the gaming division have been impacted, with projects like Rare's "Everwild" and The Initiative's "Perfect Dark" being canceled, leading to studio closures [2][3][4] Group 2 - The layoffs have severely affected the Xbox gaming business, with studios like Turn 10 Studios and King facing significant staff reductions, impacting their ability to develop new titles [3][4] - Microsoft is transitioning to a model that emphasizes AI tools, with a shift in sales strategy to include more technical sales personnel instead of traditional sales roles [10][11] - The company is competing in a high-stakes AI market, which has led to a culture of fear among employees, as layoffs are now linked to performance metrics [11]