Microsoft's major layoffs focus on AI, cutting off the "Blackbird Plan" has caused shocks in the gaming industry!

　　Recently, Microsoft has launched a large-scale layoff operation again, with about 9,000 employees affected, accounting for nearly 4% of the company's total employees. According to the Seattle Times, Microsoft's move is intended to "slim down" with the goal of making resources and space for the company's sharply increased investment in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure.

Although the layoffs are not what the "Hao" studio developers said last week, and Microsoft is "crazy attempting to replace employees with AI", it is undeniable that Microsoft is making every effort to cut spending and paving the way for more than $80 billion in its planned AI investment. This investment amount has increased significantly by $25 billion compared to last year. Microsoft believes that under the current situation, this huge investment is more urgent than ever. Especially recently, OpenAI has shown an increasingly strong attitude, which has added new variables to the already complex cooperative relationship between Microsoft and OpenAI, which further prompted Microsoft to increase its layout in the field of AI.

　However, this strategic adjustment of Microsoft has caused a significant impact on the gaming business segment. Previously, Microsoft spent tens of billions of dollars to acquire ZeniMax Media, the parent company of the Elder Scrolls, and the game industry giants such as Call of Duty developer Activision Blizzard. Microsoft's original intention is to enrich the content resources of its Game Pass subscription service through these acquisitions and attract more users. But the reality is not satisfactory, and the user growth situation is far from meeting the expected target. This has led analysts to question the strategic direction of Xbox, after all, the popularity of gaming subscription services in the market seems to be difficult to compare with music or film and television subscription services.

　　What's worse is that this layoff has triggered an unprecedented strong rebound in the gaming industry. Just 14 months after closing Tango Gameworks, a developer of the reputation masterpiece "Perfect Sound Wave", Microsoft made another shocking decision - to cut off a highly anticipated new work that ZeniMax Online Studios (the developer of "The Elder Scrolls OL") is developing - the Blackbird Project. This is an online shooting treasure-making game that has been highly anticipated by players before. It is rumored that Microsoft Xbox CEO Phil Spencer was immersed in it and even forgot to have a meeting while trying out the "Blackbird Project", which is enough to prove his recognition and love for this game.

This situation seems to imply that Spencer himself is not willing to give up on this game, but it is likely that he had to make difficult choices under the instruction of the senior management. The "Blackbird Plan" was originally ready to enter the full production stage and was scheduled to be officially released at the end of 2028. The high cost required for subsequent development can be imagined. However, in Microsoft's current strategic layout, fully increasing its investment in AI has become a more priority.

　　For the majority of gamers, this means losing a new game that may be extremely charming; for game developers, years of hard work is undoubtedly a huge regret. Microsoft's layoffs and the strategic shift behind it have sparked widespread discussion and deep thought in the game industry and player groups.