Bethesda artist: Microsoft-era brought yearly layoffs, union holds Save Our Devs rally

GG Brief Editorial Desk · AI-assisted, source attributed

Last week the Communications Workers of America and the Bethesda Game Studios OneBGS union held Save Our Devs rallies across the US, Canada and on Twitch to protest layoffs and demand fair first contracts at Microsoft-owned studios. Bethesda artist Alex Nguyen says layoffs began occurring yearly after Microsoft’s acquisition, eroding institutional knowledge and morale when small specialist teams are cut. Nguyen warned that repeated cuts prevent long-term support projects like Fallout 76 and Elder Scrolls Online from maturing into fan favorites. The comments come amid industry upheaval that included about 1,900 layoffs after Xbox’s acquisition of Blizzard and public statements from Xbox leadership about protecting creative teams.

• Save Our Devs rallies were organized by the Communications Workers of America and Bethesda Game Studios OneBGS across the US, Canada and on Twitch to target layoffs and push for fair first contracts at Microsoft studios.
• Bethesda artist Alex Nguyen says layoffs became an annual occurrence after Microsoft’s acquisition, causing loss of institutional knowledge and lowered morale when small groups of specialists are let go.
• Nguyen says recurring cuts stop 'fixer-upper' titles such as Fallout 76 and Elder Scrolls Online from receiving the sustained labor and time needed to become successful fan favorites.
• The situation follows large industry layoffs—about 1,900 jobs after Xbox’s acquisition of Blizzard—and comes while Xbox executives have publicly emphasized protecting and nurturing creative teams.