来源：环球网 Xbox 上个月举办了年度开发者直面会，正式拉开了 2026 年的序幕，并预览了今年即将发行的一些游 戏。微软为 2026 年准备了四大王牌：《极限竞速》《光环》、《神鬼寓言》和《战争机器》。微软内 部正在全力以赴，确保这四款游戏都能在今年如期发布。 外媒称，《极限竞速：地平线6》将于5月19日率先发售，微软内部消息人士透露，《光环：战役进化》 暂定于夏季发售。（思瀚） 【环球网科技综合报道】2月6日消息，据The Verge报道，微软即将迎来Xbox 25周年庆典。2026年是微 软重新聚焦Xbox平台的良机，同时在经历了Xbox硬件销量暴跌之后，微软也借此机会重新审视Xbox的 未来发展方向。 ...

Core Viewpoint - Microsoft is undergoing significant layoffs, with a total of 15,000 employees laid off over the past three years, indicating a shift in strategy and management issues within the Xbox division [6][9][11]. Group 1: Layoffs and Management Changes - Microsoft announced layoffs of 9,000 employees, marking the fifth round of layoffs in three years, totaling 15,000 [6]. - The Xbox division, led by Phil Spencer, is a primary target of these layoffs, affecting key studios and franchises [7][9]. - The layoffs reflect a broader trend in the gaming industry, with other companies like Embracer Group and Ubisoft also announcing significant job cuts [10]. Group 2: Xbox's Historical Context - Xbox's initial success was driven by strategic decisions and key titles like "Halo: Combat Evolved," which showcased the potential of console gaming [13][15][18]. - The Xbox 360 era saw further success, selling over 10 million units in three years, but management issues persisted [31]. - Microsoft's approach to Xbox has often been reactive, with leadership changes impacting the direction and focus of the gaming division [39][41]. Group 3: Current Strategy and Challenges - Under CEO Satya Nadella, Microsoft shifted focus from hardware to a subscription-based service model, impacting game development and studio management [41][43]. - Recent titles, such as "Redfall," have received poor reviews, highlighting issues in game development and management practices [45][61]. - The Xbox Game Pass (XGP) has generated significant revenue, but developers express concerns over profitability and sustainability [59][61]. Group 4: Future Outlook - The layoffs and strategic shifts may improve financial performance in the short term, but they pose risks to the long-term viability of Xbox and its game offerings [61][62]. - The industry is questioning whether Microsoft can balance service-oriented strategies with the need for creative and engaging game development [62].

Core Points - Microsoft has confirmed layoffs of approximately 9,000 employees, marking the largest reduction in nearly 18 months, affecting various studios including Xbox and Activision Blizzard [1][2] - The layoffs are part of Microsoft's strategy to control costs amid significant investments in AI infrastructure, with a budget of around $80 billion for fiscal year 2025 [13][17] - The layoffs have impacted both game studios and non-gaming departments, with significant cuts in software engineering and sales roles [9][10][8] Group 1: Layoff Details - The layoffs have affected multiple game studios, including RARE, Infinity Ward, and The Initiative, which has been completely shut down after seven years of development on "Perfect Dark" [4][6][7] - Non-gaming departments have also seen substantial cuts, with around 830 layoffs in Redmond, Washington, and a total of 1,985 employees laid off in the state earlier in May [9][10] - The layoffs are not limited to lower-tier projects but extend to key original studios and maintenance teams for flagship games [7] Group 2: Financial Context - Microsoft is under pressure to control costs while investing heavily in AI, with significant government contracts contributing to this strategy [16][13] - The Game Pass subscription service has not met revenue expectations, with only a 4 million increase in subscribers from February 2024 to June 2025 [18][20] - The company is facing internal financial pressures, with unrealistic financial targets set for the Xbox division, leading to further layoffs [19][20] Group 3: Industry Impact - The layoffs reflect a broader trend in the gaming industry, with other companies like EA and Sony also announcing job cuts [22] - The gaming industry is experiencing a shift, with high development costs for AAA titles becoming the norm, impacting profitability [21] - The layoffs and studio closures may lead to a decrease in the number of new major titles released in the coming years, affecting Game Pass offerings [30] Group 4: Public Reaction and Stock Performance - The public response to the layoffs has been largely negative, with criticism directed at the company's handling of the situation, including inappropriate comments from Xbox producers [24][26] - Despite the layoffs, Microsoft's stock price showed resilience, only dropping 0.2% initially and stabilizing around $497, nearing a market cap of $2.8 trillion [28][29] - Investors view the layoffs as a positive cost-cutting measure in light of the substantial AI investments, indicating a disconnect between corporate decisions and employee welfare [29] Conclusion - The upcoming financial report on July 25 will provide insights into the impact of these layoffs on Microsoft's performance and future direction in the gaming sector [34]