Just over twelve months ago, Microsoft launched their second home console, the Xbox 360. In development since early 2003, the platform has gone on to sell over eight million units to date, with Microsoft insisting that it is on course to hit ten million by the end of the year. Peter Moore has very much become the global face of Xbox 360 now that J. Allard has focused his recent energies on Zune, leaving Chris Lewis to join Moore at European events including X05, Game Convention 2006, and X06 - almost becoming the European face of the console in the process. The Vice President of Microsoft's Home and Entertainment Division for Europe, Middle East, and Africa since September 2004, Lewis had previously been responsible for successfully launching the original Xbox in both the UK and the Nordic regions, and saw his promotion that Autumn as an opportunity to focus "...on continuing this success into the future."
So after steering the Xbox 360 onto store shelves over the course of the past year, and negotiating a small number of issues with the console along the way, how does Lewis perceive the current state of the console in Europe? TVG recently caught up with the executive to ask this and a number of other questions as the Xbox 360 celebrates its first year in the territory...
Its creator eliminated components that were not essential to speed up its development, such as the Bluetooth of the controls.
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
Replies(2)
"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"
It's not that shocking considering these numbers aren't just Xbox numbers as you're deliberately trying to make it seem for some reason.
Interestingly, another no shocking fact is that whenever Microsoft releases its quarterly earnings reports, you're quick to point out that those numbers aren't exclusive to Xbox. Yeah... go figure.
They also fired around 2500 people across Microsoft's gaming divisions and Zenimax shortly after buying it, and before they closed down 4 studios including Arkane and Tango.
I remember Satya boasting about how compassionate he was for splitting the list 50/50 across the two companies.
"They also fired around 2500 people across Microsoft's gaming divisions and Zenimax shortly after buying it"
Bring your sources. I´ll wait.
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.
"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."
You have no idea what you´re talking about.
*IF* Microsoft decides to address the upcoming layoffs, Matt Booty will be the one in the spotlight since he is the president of XGS.
Phil will probably be on some bs drama later doing interviews telling people how "devastated" and "sorry" he is for those affected while wiping away his tears with money.
Sarah is the President of Xbox (hardware) so she will be better off taking care of hers business and let both Matt and Phil face the backlash.
The Outerhaven writes: Split/Second was the explosive arcade racing game that outshone Ridge Racer and Burnout. That is, until Disney shut it all down before a sequel could happen.
As a kid i had some heart attacks playing this game. The soundtrack right on point with those close calls. I love this game.
Agreed. I still love it and play it often. Still sucks that Disney was like, nah... this game didn't do well, when it did well against other racers and reviewed well.
Split/Second was one of the game I enjoyed playing. In fact it's still the most popular video on my YouTube channel. It's a gameplay of Split/Second posted 15 years ago. This past month 25 people viewed it. Split/Second is a favourite amongst racing gamers worldwide.
This game was super awesome and hella fun playing split-screen with the homie. Trashing your friend’s car during split-screen competition using one of those QuickTime events was so funny haha
there,s you winner ps3 fans.sony has lost it this time round.so just take you ps3 into a shop and partexchange it for a 360 you never regrett it and you will have the best console with the best live and the best games.sorry sony has had it.