Assessing Xbox’s Layoffs, Game Cancellations, and Studio Closures – Unlocked 698

Unlocked

IGN

Tech News, Leisure, Video Games, News

4.4 • 3.2K Ratings

🗓️ 3 July 2025

⏱️ 81 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

As expected, layoffs at Microsoft and Xbox did happen this week, and they were unbelievably brutal. Approximately 9,000 people reportedly got laid off, multiple games were canceled, and entire studios were shut down. We sort through the wreckage on this week's Unlocked. 00:00 - Intro 00:11:12 - Assessing Xbox’s Layoffs 00:24:33 - ZeniMax Online’s New MMORPG Has Been Canceled 00:29:55 - Perfect Dark and Game Cancellations 00:44:41 - The Damage to Xbox's Brand 00:52:21 - Xbox's Future & Phil Spencer's Rumored Retirement 01:10:14 - Mafia: The Old Country, LV1 Gaming, & Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Coming up on this week's episode of Unlocked IGN's weekly Xbox show,
0:08.5	the expected layoffs at Xbox and Microsoft have unfortunately occurred, and they are very
0:14.7	far ranging.
0:15.7	We'll tell you about the people affected, the projects affected, the entire studios that got closed.
0:22.6	There is a lot to sort through, so join us.
0:25.6	Exclusively on Disney Plus.
0:27.6	It's hard and it's brutal and that's what makes it special.
0:31.6	The multi-award winning series FX's The Bear is back for a brand new season.
0:36.6	Upon my signal, unleash hell.
0:41.2	And every second counts.
0:43.7	When that shows zero, this restaurant ceases operations.
0:47.7	FX's the Bear.
0:49.0	New season now streaming exclusively on Disney Plus.
0:53.0	18 plus subscription required seasonas and Cs apply.
0:56.2	There are days when you're hungry for McDonald's.
1:00.0	Then there are days when you're Big Arch hungry for McDonald's.
1:04.2	You'll get to know the difference.
1:06.0	New Big Arch for Big McDonald's hunger.
1:11.6	Until 9th of September, from 11 a.m., participating restaurants only, subject to availability.
1:16.6	This is Steve Downs, the voice of Master Chief, Sierra 117,
1:20.6	and you're listening to Podcast Unlocked, the world's number one Xbox podcast.
1:26.6	Now, finish this fight.
	...

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