Rumors and speculation have been going all around the internet the past few weeks or so about Microsoft creating an always-online console which would the successor to the Xbox 360. Much backlash and criticism of the possible move has been coming out everywhere from gamers, analysts, and even some developers. Us here at Retrospect Realm are going to take a look at all the major and minor problems of an always-online console.
The previously rumored mass layoffs at Xbox are expected to happen on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, according to a new rumor.
They will have fired close to 20,000 people all up after this round of lay-offs coming, since the ABK deal announcement in January 2022. Shocking really
January 2023:
Microsoft laid off 10,000 employees, which was a significant workforce reduction.
January 2024:
Approximately 1,900 gaming employees were laid off following the Activision Blizzard acquisition.
May 2025:
Microsoft announced a further 6,000 layoffs as part of an organizational shift.
June 2025:
Additional layoffs, including 650 in the gaming business, focused on corporate and support functions
Let's hope its not as bad as socials are making it, good luck to those that unfortunately lose their jobs.
Could be not as bad could be horrible. But it's Ms so I'm expecting the absolute worst.
Sometimes I feel like they brought in Sarah to take the heat away from Phil.
Phil has always stuck his nose into everything Xbox related when it's something positive or at least neutral but as soon as they went the multiplatform root he's stood back and let Sarah do most of the talking in terms of PR. Now they are doing the same with layoffs.
The person who should be let go is Phil himself.
One of the founding members of the Xbox team has questioned Microsoft’s multiplatform gaming strategy, and said they believe the Xbox hardware business is effectively “dead"
Think that rumor that they'll still make a new console but at a profit at $1000 will be true though. The series consoles will remain their cheap alternative throughout next gen I would say. Keep in mind that game pass and pretty much going 3rd party is their main focus. They want to bring xbox everywhere.
Even as the company sets out to overhaul the very definition of Xbox, cuts at its studios risk creating a negative image reminiscent of EA's worst era
I appreciate the article but this guy must be living in a delayed universe, The reputation was ruined 10+ years ago and hasn't recovered since. As such people have voted with their wallets and stopped buying Xbox products in large amounts.
Rumors of Turn 10 being either shut down or hit with massive lay offs is on the horizon.
The issue is MS will do something right only to do something very, very wrong. And they do this what seems calculative at this point. Doesn't matter what they do the Investors and leadership want more and more money an endless bottomless pit of purr insatiable greed. A company that acts like it's broke or hurting is what really, really infuriates me. They've surpassed apple again well over 3 trillion who acts like they're a million dollar company is fk stupid. Pivots and changes for no reason and can't do things for more than a year with out a pivot or changing their metrics.
What on Orth should we do with this guy!
On topic: I think MS may kiss good buy 30%(or more) of their potential user-base if the Next-Xbox is always online.
If they do this, I'll protest in the only way I can - with my wallet, I will just buy a competitors console that does not block pre-owned, always online etc
Microsoft, deal with it
Microsoft has always been about giving you the very least while charging you the most they can, when it comes to their gaming division. If true, this new aspect they're instituting is crossing the line.
It's not about how they will hurt their business model at all. It's actually throwing a grenade at what they've worked so hard at creating. I see absolutely no way at all possible, that the system even survives, let alone thrive. This is really a death decision.
Aways online is only bad if it requires it to play. My ps3, 360,wii, is online the second I turn them on. But to make a game unplayable without a connection is suicide. I don't think any console manufacturer would do that. They're too worried about the sales numbers to alienate that many people.