Xbox boss Phil Spencer is just as upset as people that lost their job says former exec

Former Blizzard president Mike Ybarra has implied that Phil Spencer feels just as bad about layoffs as the people that have lost their job.

Microsoft still hasn’t said exactly how many people have lost their jobs, as a result of the closure of Redfall developer Arkane Austin, Hi-Fi Rush’s Tango Gameworks, and Mighty Doom maker Alpha Dog Games, but it must be in the region of 200. And that doesn’t even include Roundhouse Studios, who are now forced to become a part of The Elder Scrolls Online maker ZeniMax Online Studios.

This is all on top of 1,900 job losses, across multiple Xbox studios, in January, that has made clear the human cost of Microsoft spending $69 billion on Activision Blizzard – only to have the company function exactly as it was before they bought it, including in terms of its multiformat approach.

It also has the effect of making every other Microsoft owned studio worried about what happens to them when they’re finished their next game, especially if it isn’t part of an established IP. But ex-Blizzard president Mike Ybarra wants you to feel sorry, not for the ordinary employees, but the executive that laid them off.

‘I see a lot of shots at Phil [Spencer] over today’s Xbox announcements. I get it. But knowing him as a human, I know this hurts him as much as anyone else. I can’t speak for all of the leadership there, but I do know him and I do know what he is likely going through,’ said Ybarra on Twitter.

The fact that this is the first thing he thought to say, following the announcement, is certainly something, and recalls the photo that went around following the layoffs in January, of him and Spencer smirking in front of a crowd of Blizzard employees, many of which were unaware they were about to lose their jobs.

‘I’m not trying to defend the decisions. I think we all get ourselves into situations that are tough and unexpected (certainly I have). It’s part of the job, as is the accountability for the outcomes. But he’s a good human and he cares deeply for the creative process and developers. That’s my first hand experience in working closely with him for 8+ years and knowing him for 24+,’ added Ybarra on Twitter.

‘I 100% understand the anger and confusion, and I feel deeply sorry for those teams impacted today and over the last few months. I didn’t agree with every decision he made at Xbox, and I think that was pretty clear, but I do believe in his product leadership and I know how hard these decisions can be.

‘Xbox could have a very bright future. I hope they are able to realises it and all of the teams have an incredible experience together. It’s certainly a tough time that needs great clarity into what the plan ahead is and how gamers everywhere can be excited for it.’

As you can imagine, that didn’t go down well with most people, with Sony Santa Monica’s Alanah Pearce writing: ‘Mike, I have a lot of fondness for Phil and don’t doubt he’s incredibly bummed about this, but CEOs can handle some ‘shots’ amidst people having their lives destroyed. Your sympathetic posts should solely be directed at those who’ve lost their jobs.’

To this, Ybarra replied: ‘I’m not saying they shouldn’t. But he’s not the robot celebrating in the glory of this some want to make it out to be. You’re in the industry, you know how this works and what can and can’t be said.’

Content creator MJ then pointed out: ‘Phil’s feelings shouldn’t be taken into account when he’s still the boss making a boss’ income when tons of developers just lost their jobs.’

‘Mike, I know you’re writing this from a place of good intentions but read the room my guy,’ wrote Nel, The Internet’s Dad. ‘Historically successful studios are being shut down and people are losing their jobs to inflate the bottom line and make shareholders happy. Who cares if Phil hurts – he still has a job.’

‘How many studios could be funded by his salary alone? How many storytellers’ lives has he negatively impacted?’ asked Savvy | Artist. ‘How many yachts does he have? How many vacation homes? Higher-ups deserve to be held accountable for mismanagement.’

Many made references to Ybarra’s recent suggestion that it should be possible to tip developers if you’ve enjoyed a game, seemingly to compensate for them not being properly paid in the first place.

An image of Woody Harrelson, in the movie White Men Can’t Jump, crying into a pile of money was also a popular, for illustrating why most people didn’t care if Phil Spencer is upset or not.

A number of messages also called for new management at Xbox, with Spencer having been in charge now for over 10 years.

‘Yes, our thoughts are definitely with Phil in this difficult time. It’s awful when senior executives have to address their own failures by firing other people,’ said Rowan Edmondson, with a particularly savage burn.

‘He sucks at his job,’ was all Yoshen had to say.

Others pointed out the contrast between how Xbox handles a downturn in fortunes and Nintendo during its failure with the Wii U.

‘Nintendo’s CEO literally took a pay cut when its numbers were bad. What did Phil do?’ asks Anil.

Won’t somebody please think of the 10 million dollar a year executive!
Perhaps we can tip him? ð pic.twitter.com/89npmcU9vg

— The Crapgamer Is Depressed ð (@The_CrapGamer) May 7, 2024